After an injury-riddled 2014 season where he only made 16 starts, Mat Latos looked to rebound in 2015. The right-handed pitcher made a name for himself with the Cincinnati Reds and San Diego Padres, but was traded in the offseason to the Miami Marlins for the two Minor League prospects.
Latos’ first year with the Marlins got off to a poor start. He allowed seven earned runs on six hits in just 0.2 innings in his first outing with Miami. The loss was the first of three consecutive for Latos.
It wasn’t until May 5 against the Washington Nationals when he would earn his first victory of the season. Latos had been, for the most part, a reliable starting pitcher in Majors when healthy.
His body betrayed him again this season as the Marlins placed Latos on the 15-day disabled list with left knee inflammation in May. Upon returning June 13, the 27 year old used a start against the Colorado Rockies to buoy a strong stretch.
Though some of the momentum stalled in July when a Christian Yelich foul ball struck Latos on the foot, causing bruising and the pitcher to miss his next few scheduled starts. Latos started two more games for the Marlins before being dealt to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Following a hectic day of travel, Latos debuted with the Dodgers against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on Aug. 2. He threw six innings of run-one ball, allowing just four hits and walking one.
In retrospect, it turned out to be Latos’ best start with the Dodgers. He took the mound five more times (four starts) for Los Angeles, then was released from the organization on Sept. 25 — eight days after getting designated for assignment.
Latos’ brief tenure with the Dodgers included bumping heads with then-manager Don Mattingly over being removed in the fourth inning of a start and allowing the go-ahead home run in a 16-inning game.
In six games (five starts) with the Dodgers, Latos was 0-3 with a 6.66 ERA, 4.00 FIP and 1.52 WHIP. His season concluded with the Angels, whom Latos made two relief appearances for.
2015 Highlight
After the freak incident where Yelich’s foul ball hit Latos, the pitcher was required to rest 15 days before his next start. In his return on June 21 against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Latos delivered seven shutout innings with seven strikeouts.
The feeling of the victory was short-lived for Latos, as that outing marked his final win over the last two and half months of the regular season.
2016 Outlook
After bouncing between three teams in the 2015 season, Latos’ stock took a significant hit, which certainly isn’t a positive development for a player in a contract year.
Latos should nonetheless be able to latch on with a club, though not on a deal he may have been expecting heading into last season. Some luck with his health and a strong showing in Spring Training could lead to Latos solidifying himself as an adequate starting pitcher.
