Arodys Vizcaino sharp in his recent Chicago Cubs pen session

Feb 19, 2014; Mesa, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs manager Rick Renteria (16) addresses the media after a workout at Cubs Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

First-year Chicago Cubs manager Rick Renteria had something to smile about after seeing Arodys Vizcaino throw his latest session.

On the comeback trail of two arm surgeries in the last two years, the right-hander, formerly a top prospect in the Atlanta Braves organization, touched 98 mph on the radar gun this week – a promising sign for the Cubs’ relief corps. MLB.com Cubs’ beat writer Carrie Muskat detailed Renteria’s remarks after the performance in her recent article:

"“He looked very, very good,” Cubs manager Rick Renteria said of Vizcaino, who is projected to pitch out of the bullpen. “We’re very pleased with his session. Very sharp, live fastball, breaking ball, he was burying his pitches when he needed to. He’s progressing well. We’re happy to say there are no setbacks and we hope it continues that way.”"

Vizcaino told reporters afterwards that “everything” felt good to him. A concern with the righty is his lingering arm issues, but the pessimism surrounding him seems to have dissipated of late, as he continue to progress during Spring Training workouts.

Renteria will likely use Vizcaino out of the bullpen, a role he held at the big league level with Atlanta back in 2011, when he appeared in 17 games for the Braves, notching 17 strikeouts in 17 1/3 innings of work. Since that point, he has not pitched in the Major Leagues.