Cincinnati Reds likely to shut down RHP Mat Latos for season

The Cincinnati Reds scratched right-hander Mat Latos from his scheduled start in Milwaukee on Friday because of a bone bruise in his pitching elbow and, according to a report, Latos is likely done for the year.

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The bone bruise is not thought to be a serious injury, but with two weeks left in a lost season, Cincinnati manager Bryan Price doesn’t want to push things.

"“We’re not going to try to force feed Mat his last few starts if he’s not feeling really good,” Price told the Cincinnati Enquirer. “It doesn’t make much sense for us. I’d like him to pitch, but I don’t want to exacerbate an existing issue. He’ll have to come quite a ways to make that next start.”"

Latos had surgery last fall to remove bone chips from that elbow and was expected to be ready for the start of the season. But he injured his left knee on the second day of spring training and had to have surgery to repair a torn meniscus.

His return was delayed by tightness in his forearm and he didn’t make his first start until June 14.

In 16 starts this season, Latos is 5-5 with a 3.25 ERA and 1.153 WHIP in 102.1 innings, striking out 74 batters.

Acquired in a trade from the San Diego Padres in December 2011 for right-hander Edinson Volquez and prospects Yonder Alonso, Brad Boxberger and Yasmani Grandal, Latos was 28-11 with a 3.32 ERA and 1.186 WHIP over his first two seasons in Cincinnati, making 65 starts and working 420 innings.

Latos is arbitration eligible for the final time this winter before being eligible for free agency after the 2015 season.