Latos, Broxton ready for next steps in rehabs

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Two, and possibly three, injured Reds pitchers will take steps in their recovery programs on Friday, as right-handers Mat Latos and Jonathan Broxton are each scheduled to throw and could be joined by left-hander Sean Marshall.

Latos will throw live batting practice for the first time since a pair of offseason surgeries -- on his elbow in October and on his knee in February. He used all his pitches in an extended bullpen session on Tuesday and felt fine.

Broxton is slated for a bullpen session on Friday with hitters standing in the box, which manager Bryan Price said could be the final step before Broxton can appear in a game. The Reds are shooting for Monday.

"If everything goes well with Jonathan, there's a chance he could throw an inning against Cleveland," Price said. "He'd obviously have to get through tomorrow's bullpen, but there's been no reason to think he's not going to pitch on the 17th."

Marshall, meanwhile, may throw a bullpen on Friday, but the Reds don't want to rush things with the left-hander, who is battling shoulder tendinitis.

Marshall had his throwing program halted late last week when the tendinitis flared up, but he has resumed throwing from flat ground and has looked sharp, according to Price.

"We're real happy with how he's rebounded after a few days off," Price said. "After reinitiating his throwing program, he hasn't had any setbacks, and he feels really good.

"He's definitely behind schedule, but if we don't have any setbacks and we're optimistic, he'll be ready at least within that first week or two of the regular season."