CINCINNATI -- Right-hander Mat Latos left after five innings Friday night -- his shortest outing of the season -- because of spasms in his lower back, yet another injury to the depleted Reds.
Latos ran hard to first to try to beat out a bunt in the second inning. His back started acting up when he went back to the mound.
"When I was bending over to get the sign for the first batter in the third inning, all of a sudden it felt like one of the middle infielders came up and stabbed me in the back," Latos said. "It calmed down a little bit for two more innings."
Latos was sidelined until June 24 by torn knee cartilage and a strained pitching forearm.
The Reds, who pulled out a 6-5 win over the Pirates on Friday, have been hit hard by injuries in the past week.
First baseman Joey Votto is on the DL indefinitely with a thigh injury. Second baseman Brandon Phillips tore a ligament in his left thumb and had surgery on Friday. Skip Schumaker was expected to help fill in at second base, but he went on the 7-day concussion list.
Starter Homer Bailey slightly strained his right knee on Thursday, but is expected to make his next turn. Now, it's Latos who is a question.
Billy Hamilton had a sore hamstring on Thursday and was relegated to pinch-hitting during a 6-4, 12-inning loss to the Cubs. He was back in the lineup on Friday and produced a run right away.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.