Reds' Chapman has successful bullpen session

Cincinnati Reds closer Aroldis Chapman took a big step toward returning to action Wednesday. Chapman threw 20 pitches in a bullpen session before the Reds' 6-5 win over the Chicago Cubs. It was the first time he's thrown off the mound since being shut down with shoulder fatigue.

"It went real well," Chapman said through translator Tomas Vera. "The shoulder feels good."

He felt no fatigue in the shoulder.

"None at all," he said.

Chapman says he's not ready to pitch in a game.

"I feel good," he said. "But I feel like I need to throw at least two or three more times to work on command. I don't feel like I have the command."

"You just don't jump in there after a week off and have pinpoint command," pitching coach Bryan Price said. "But his arm worked really well. The velocity, rotation on his ball was good."

Chapman will play catch Thursday. It's possible that he will pitch in the weekend series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.