Latos itching to get back on mound

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Reds pitcher Mat Latos, who had knee surgery Feb. 14 to repair torn meniscus cartilage in his left knee, is still waiting for the green light to throw from a mound.

"I wish. Nothing so far. I'm pulling my hair and teeth out waiting to get out there," Latos said on Thursday.

Latos has made rapid progress and could have his wish granted very soon. He's been long-tossing for several days and is throwing over 150 feet. Trainer Paul Lessard is having him focus on getting his leg stronger.

"I aggravated it a little bit doing some extra exercises. It was a simple flare-up, nothing spectacular," Latos said. "It's like anything else. You overwork something and it gets aggravated, whether it's after surgery or not. You work out your legs to a certain extent, and you wake up the next day and you're sore. It's just going through strengthening process. No setbacks. Nothing a little ice can't take care of. We're good."