GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Cuban defector Aroldis Chapman will likely start the season in the Cincinnati Reds’ farm system.

General manager Walt Jocketty said Tuesday that the left-hander has adapted well during spring training — he just turned 22 and is learning English — but had his chances of making the team scuttled by a back injury that cost him a week.

“The injury set him back to the point where it’s going to be tough for him to be ready to start the season as a (major league) starter,” Jocketty said. “I think we needed the spring to figure out the best route for him. Even without the injury, we may have decided to send him someplace to get established first.”

The Reds signed Chapman to a six-year, $30.25 million deal in January. They gave him a chance to make the rotation as a fifth starter during spring training.