C. Trent Rosecrans

crosecrans@enquirer.com

The MRI on Mat Latos' right arm didn't return the best news, but it didn't return the worst news, either. Latos has a flexor mass strain in his right arm, Reds manager Bryan Price said.

The injury won't require surgery, but he won't throw a baseball for an undetermined amount of time, possibly 10-14 days, Price said.

"It's not ideal, but it's not the worst thing in the world," Latos said.

Latos said he was told the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow "looks strong," which is good news.

"It's a setback in his recovery, there's an issue with that flexor mass," Price said. "It's some time off to let it simmer down, get the inflammation out and then start back up. I don't know how long it'll be before he'll throw, maybe 10-14 days and then he'll throw. He'll keep working hard in staying in shape and doing all the other things he's capable of doing. It's a setback, so his timetable will be pushed back somewhat significantly."

Price was asked if it was similar to the injury reliever Jonathan Broxton had last season. Broxton underwent surgery to repair the flexor mass near the end of the 2013 season.

"No, it's different, this is not anything that requires a surgical procedure and I hate to talk about medical issues because it's not really my strength," Price said. "We do know he's going to miss some time from throwing. But we also know this doesn't require any kind of surgical procedure and we're very optimistic he'll be back throwing in 10-14 days and by that time hopefully not have any further issues, but time will tell."

WELCOME BACK: The Reds and Pirates will face off for the first time since the Pirates ended the Reds' season last October in the Wild Card game.

"Ever since I've been here, it's been a good battle, because even when we were outplaying them for playoff spots, they always played us tough," Price said. "I anticipate them to continue to play us tough. They turned the corner last year, getting to the postseason and beating us. I'm sure they're very confident in their ability. It would be a great time for us to really do what I know we're capable of doing and go out there and put up some runs and play some good games in this series."

The Pirates went 11-8 against the Reds in the regular season last year, and then beat them again in the Wild Card game.

Bad blood seemed to develop between the two teams, with 28 batters getting hit in the season series, the most between two teams in the big leagues. Five Reds batters were hit 12 times, including seven for Shin-Soo Choo alone. The Reds hit the Pirates 16 times, with Starling Marte getting hit five times and Andrew McCutchen four times.

"We did develop an old-school rivalry," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "It's fun. We respect them. We like matching up against them."

INSULT WITH INJURY: After Alex Cobb held the Reds to just four hits and no runs over seven innings, the Rays put him on the disabled list with an oblique strain.

Rays manager Joe Maddon said he noticed Cobb struggling early, trying to stretch, but finally the pain was too much and he pulled him after seven innings.

"Not exactly sure when (the injury) happened," Maddon said. "I thought it could have been a dehydration situation because he pitched so well and I didn't see anything other than a little bit of stretching every now and then. I didn't see anything.

"Stuff-wise, it was among the best you're ever going to see him throw. So that was really confusing. So he came off and I was hoping (head athletic trainer) Ronnie (Porterfield) would tell me that it was dehydration. But upon examination, he was just a little concerned that there might be an oblique strain in there."

The Rays called up left-hander Jeff Beliveau to take his place on the roster. Beliveau pitched a scoreless fourth for the Rays on Sunday.

CHALLENGE: Maddon challenged a safe call on a Devin Mesoraco infield single in the seventh inning. First base umpire Jim Reynolds called Mesoraco safe on a close play from shortstop Yunel Escobar to first base. The call was upheld and the review took just 49 seconds.

4,000 GAMES: Third base umpire and crew chief Tim Welke was honored before Sunday's game in recognition of the 31-year veteran umpire working the 4,000th regular-season game of his career. A Michigan native, Welke has worked two All-Star Games, eight Division Series, seven League Championship Series and four World Series.