Reds activate Jonathan Broxton from 15-day DL

Jonathan Broxton has been activated from the 15-day disabled list. (Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

The Cincinnati Reds have activated setup man Jonathan Broxton from the 15-day disabled list, the Reds announced on Wednesday. In a corresponding move, the Reds have optioned right-handed pitcher Pedro Villareal to the Reds Triple-A affiliate.

Broxton missed nearly a month with a strain in his pitching elbow that has limited Broxton to just 29 appearances this season with the Reds. The 29-year-old reliever signed a three-year, $21 million contract extension in the offseason with the intent of him being the team's closer. The Reds had planned to convert closer Aroldis Chapman into a starting pitcher but ditched the effort through spring training.

Broxton's role in the bullpen was reduced to the eight inning where he has posted a 4.33 ERA with 20 strikeouts in 27 innings pitched so far this season.