Reds pitchers take the mound for live batting practice for first time at Spring Training

GOODYEAR, Ariz. - Several of the Cincinnati Reds' aces on Tuesday took the mound for the first time this Spring Training.

Live batting practice was in order, with Johnny Cueto, Aroldis Chapman and Sean Marshall on the hill, among others.

Cueto showed no signs of the oblique problem that took him out of the playoffs and fellow starter Homer Bailey threw well, complete with a few more pounds of muscle weight he added in the offseason.

Marshall was already putting in a few nasty breaking balls, but it was Aroldis Chapman that was keeping the hitters at bay during BP.

Chapman froze veteran catcher Ryan Hanigan, after which he complimented the Cuban Missile with a simple, "Nice pitch."

And with pitchers on the mound come catchers behind the plate.

Devin Mesoraco, who left the team for AAA last year after struggling following his suspension in August, is definitely not a shoo-in for the backup spot.

Miguel Olivo, a 10-year veteran, is working second in the catcher rotation in drills. Not only does he have a longer tenure calling games, but thanks to his Hispanic ethnicity, he may be able to communicate better with pitchers like Chapman and Cueto.

Rain is in the forecast for Goodyear on Wednesday, and the team could see an unscheduled day off as a result.

For a full photo gallery of the Reds' finest on the mound during live BP, go to http://www.wcpo.com/gallery/news/news_photo_gallery/reds-pitchers-throw-at-spring-training .

9 On Your Side sports director John Popovich contributed to this story.

9 On Your Side will continue to post stories from Spring Training at Goodyear, Arizona all week.