Pitchers these days throw harder than ever, but few boast velocity like Aroldis Chapman. The new Red Sox reliever holds the record for fastest recorded pitch in MLB history (105.8 mph) and has consistently ranked among the game’s hardest throwers throughout his 16-year career.

Yet unlike many of his peers, Chapman has managed to maintain his elite velocity while also staying healthy.

How has he done that?

“I think the main thing is I take pride in taking care of my body, in taking care of my arm, I take care of those two things as if they were gold, and when I’m on the mound I try not to take my arm to the limit,” Chapman said via translator Daveson Perez. “I feel like a lot of injuries that happen are because guys are taking their body to the very limit, and I try to monitor those things so I don’t force it.”

The idea that Chapman could have averaged nearly 100 mph on his fastball at age 36 while not throwing at maximum effort is crazy to imagine. But considering that he hit 105.1 and 104.7 in an at bat against San Diego Padres star Manny Machado just last August, throwing high-90s or low-100s would qualify as taking it easy.

But Chapman also possesses unique physical gifts that most pitchers lack, and the Cuban star believes a lot of his peers have hurt themselves trying to push themselves too far.

“I think 99.9% of pitchers that are coming up want to throw hard, and I think it’s reinforced by a lot of pitching coaches who are training these guys to throw harder,” Chapman said. “I think it’s honestly contributed to a lot of injuries in the game.”

Chapman’s velocity will give the Red Sox the kind of late-inning firepower they’ve lacked in recent years, particularly from their lefties. The seven-time All-Star should also be in the mix for the closer job, though Chapman is expected to compete with Liam Hendriks, Justin Slaten, Garrett Whitlock and Justin Wilson for that role.

Chapman, who has 335 career saves and who tallied 14 saves for the Pittsburgh Pirates last summer after earning the job midseason, said he’s excited for the chance to compete and doesn’t expect anything to be handed to him.

“We have a lot of capable guys here,” Chapman said. “You know we all have experience with that role and if it’s a competition or whatever, I think we’re all focused on doing the work we have to do to get ready and the front office and the people who are in charge to make those decisions will make those decisions.”