Mat Latos feeling 'great,' could return by early June
While right-hander Mat Latos was transferred to the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day, it was anything but a setback. It was more about his roster spot, and Latos wouldn't be ready by the time he'd be eligible to come off the 60-day disabled list -- backdated from the first day of the season -- which would allow him to be activated May 29.
Reds manager Bryan Price said Latos was feeling "great" after his bullpen session on Wednesday, and is on track to re-join the team in early June.
"I'm really excited because he's feeling, he said, as good as he's felt in years," Price said. "That's a pretty bold statement for a guy who has thrown a lot of innings, pitched in a lot of big games and won a lot of games to say something like that as we get closer to his potential activation that looks like early June."
The next step for Latos is to throw a simulated game, which could happen in Washington, D.C. Latos is joining the team for the upcoming road trip to Philadelphia and Washington. After that, he could go out on a minor-league rehab assignment. From there, he'd likely make three rehab starts before returning for the Reds.
CINGRANI ON TRACK: With Jeff Francis taking the mound for the Reds on Thursday night, the rest of the rotation was pushed back a day, including Tony Cingrani.
The change with Simon had nothing to do with Cingrani, Price said. Instead of having one starter needing to come back on short rest because of the doubleheader, Price decided to push everyone back.
Cingrani is still scheduled to return, but now it looks as if it'll be in Washington, not Philadelphia -- but plans could change.
Simon, Homer Bailey and Mike Leake will start in Philadelphia.
"Tony's great, there's been no reason to believe he won't be activated when we need him," Price said. "We haven't defined whether that's going to be against the Phillies or Nationals because we're still waiting to see how he feels (Friday). He has to feel pristine -- he has to feel strong, completely pain free and no reservations. Once that happens, which I imagine in the next 24-48, I think we'll be able to make a commitment to Tony and when he's going to pitch."
ROSTER MOVES: To make room for Francis, the Reds not only had to put Latos on the 60-man, they also had to option someone to Triple-A. That was Nick Christiani.
The right-hander wasn't active for the first game at Great American Ball Park on Thursday, but he was back for the second game as Major League Baseball allows teams to bring up an extra player for doubleheaders.
Christiani, as the 26th man, will have to return (or actually report) to Triple-A Louisville on Friday. While rules dictate that a player optioned has to stay down 10 days unless there is an injury, an exception is made for the 26th man in a doubleheader.
Christiani was official optioned on Wednesday, and his 10 days start from Wednesday.
The Reds were already playing with one extra reliever after Cingrani was placed on the disabled list and the team had decided to play this stretch (which featured multiple off days) with four starters and eight relievers.
MES IN PHILLY?: Devin Mesoraco could join the team in Philadelphia this weekend, Price said.
"He got four at-bats (Wednesday) and he feels good, so everything is positive at this point," Price said Thursday morning. "He'll play again (Thursday) and could very easily join us early in the road trip."
Mesoraco homered for Louisville in the Bat's 4-0 victory in Norfolk, Va. It was his only hit in three at-bats. He was 3-for-10 in three games with Louisville.
THE OTHER MARSHALL: Right-hander Brett Marshall will head to Arizona at the end of this month to begin work at the Reds' complex there.
On the 60-day disabled list with torn pulley tendon in his right middle finger since Opening Day, Marshall has been throwing lately and feeling good.