Mat Latos – Dodger Thoughts

NL ERA race hotter than Southern California

On September 11, 2015

Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

Dodgers at Diamondbacks, 6:40 p.m.
Justin Ruggiano, LF
Jose Peraza, 2B
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Scott Van Slyke, RF
Corey Seager, SS
A.J. Ellis, C
Chris Heisey, CF
Alex Wood, P

By Jon Weisman

A quick note before we get to today’s lengthy health recap: Cubs pitcher Jake Arrieta lowered his ERA to 1.99 this afternoon. If he and Zack Greinke stay below 2.00, they’ll be the first duo to do so in the same year since Dwight Gooden (1.53) and John Tudor (1.93) in 1985.

If Clayton Kershaw (2.15) joins them, we would have the first sub-2.00 trio since Luis Tiant (1.91), Gaylord Perry (1.92) and Gary Nolan (1.99) in 1972.

Kershaw, who is next scheduled to start Monday against the Rockies, most likely has four starts left in the 2015 regular season. If he pitched a total of 24 1/3 to 28 1/3 innings, he would need to allow no more than two earned runs (0.64 ERA) to get his ERA below 2.00. If he pitched 28 2/3 to 33 innings, he could allow three runs, and if he pitched at least 33 1/3, he could allow four runs.

And now, to the Web (Gem) MD report, via manager Don Mattingly to reporters:

Jose Peraza, who is playing tonight (batting second) for the first time since tweaking a hamstring September 1, is at 100 percent.
With Jimmy Rollins still recovering from a finger injury, Corey Seager is making his seventh start since his callup nine days ago. As Eric Stephen of True Blue L.A. noted, Peraza and Seager are the youngest starting double-play combo for the Dodgers since 1947.
Howie Kendrick had live batting practice and ran the bases. He’s “not there yet but getting closer,” reports Bill Plunkett of the Register.
Yasiel Puig is still feeling hamstring tightness and has not been able to resume baseball work.
Kiké Hernandez is feeling good, but still has to get over the hump.
Yasmani Grandal took live BP today and was hitting home runs, according to Mark Saxon of ESPN Los Angeles.
Mat Latos’ stiff neck is improved, but his usage as a starter will depend on matchups.

Joe Wieland to start for Dodgers tonight

By Jon Weisman

On September 9, 2015

In Health/injuries, Pregame

Mike McGinnis/Getty Images

Dodgers at Angels, 7:05 p.m.
Scott Schebler, LF
Chase Utley, 2B
Adrian Gonzalez, DH
Justin Turner, 3B
Andre Ethier, RF
Corey Seager, SS
Scott Van Slyke, 1B
Joc Pederson, CF
Austin Barnes, C
(Joe Wieland, P)

By Jon Weisman

Shifting gears in their starting rotation, the Dodgers have chosen to have Joe Wieland make his second start of the season tonight against the Angels.

Mat Latos, who had originally been penciled in for the start, has neck stiffness, the Dodgers said.

Wieland led Triple-A Oklahoma City during the regular season with 113 2/3 innings, getting one more out than Zach Lee, who starts Game 1 of the Pacific Coast League American Conference best-of-five finals tonight against Round Rock. Wieland had a 4.59 ERA and 1.41 WHIP in Triple-A, allowing seven homers while striking out 92.

Via #Dodgers beat writers … upcoming Dodger rotation:
Friday: Wood
Saturday: Bolsinger
Sunday: Greinke
Monday: Kershaw
Tuesday: Anderson

— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) September 9, 2015

In his only Major League start this season, Wieland allowed two two-run homers before getting an out in the first inning at Milwaukee on May 6. He ultimately lasted 4 2/3 innings, allowing six runs on six hits and four walks while striking out two. Wieland told Ken Gurnick of MLB.com after the game that he couldn’t locate his fastball and began using his changeup in the second inning.

Traded to the Dodgers in the Yasmani Grandal deal last winter, Wieland had Tommy John surgery in July 2012 and returned to action 368 days ago.

“I was full go the whole time,” he told Dodger Insider in January. “My UCL, the graft they put in, never had any issues. It was the back of the elbow that I was having problems with. Fortunately, we were able to find out what was wrong and take care of that, but I never had any issues of concern, being a little conservative, trying to hold back.”

Also in tonight’s lineup: Scott Schebler (4 for 10 with a homer and two steals) becomes the Dodgers’ 10th leadoff hitter of the season, and Austin Barnes (.350 on-base percentage in 20 plate appearances) is making his sixth start for Los Angeles.

Dodger leadoff hitters in '15: Pederson (68 games), Rollins (52), Puig (7), Hernandez (5), Crawford (2), Turner, Heisey, Barney, Ruggiano.

— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) September 8, 2015

Rollins, Grandal both in question

By Jon Weisman

On September 7, 2015

In Health/injuries, Pregame

Dodgers at Angels, 6:10 p.m.
Carl Crawford, LF
Chase Utley, 2B
Adrian Gonzalez, DH
Justin Turner, 3B
Andre Ethier, RF
Corey Seager, SS
A.J. Ellis, C
Scott Van Slyke, 1B
Joc Pederson, CF
(Zack Greinke, P)

By Jon Weisman

Don Mattingly told reporters today that Yasmani Grandal’s shoulder is bothering him again, and that Jimmy Rollins is having X-rays on a finger on this throwing hand that was hurt in a slide during Sunday’s 5-1 victory over San Diego.

Grandal was originally in tonight’s starting lineup against the Angels before being scratched. He will be examined anew, and A.J. Ellis will start.

Results from Rollins’ X-rays are hoped for by tonight. Corey Seager, 5 for 15 with two doubles and a stolen base as a Dodger, will make his fourth Dodger start.

One piece of good injury news: Jose Peraza told Ken Gurnick of MLB.com that his hamstring was healed and he was able to play.

Mattingly also said that Mat Latos will start the third game of the series against the Angels, after Greinke tonight and Clayton Kershaw on Tuesday. Mike Bolsinger might get another start this weekend at Arizona.

The Dodgers enter tonight’s game with a season-high lead of eight games in the National League West, after San Francisco’s 6-1 loss at Arizona this afternoon.

Mat Latos looks to renew success against Cubs

By Jon Weisman

On August 29, 2015

In Pregame

Cubs at Dodgers, 6:10 p.m.
Jimmy Rollins, SS
Kiké Hernandez, CF
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Justin Turner, 3B
Scott Van Slyke, RF
Carl Crawford, LF
A.J. Ellis, C
Jose Peraza, 2B
Mat Latos, P

By Jon Weisman

Mat Latos makes his fourth start for the Dodgers tonight, and first since August 13.

Latos’ first outing for Los Angeles was solid in how he allowed only one run over six innings August 2 to the Angels, but that was with one strikeout. That was followed by a strikeout-free four innings August 8 at Pittsburgh.

Against the Reds on August 13, Latos struck out seven and allowed no hits in the first two innings, but Cincinnati racked up five runs (four earned) and seven hits over the next 2 2/3 frames to knock Latos out.

Pitching against the Cubs on July 5 while still with Miami, Latos threw seven innings of one-hit ball, walking two, hitting one and striking out seven.

Shoulder sidelines Yasmani Grandal

By Jon Weisman

On August 25, 2015

In Health/injuries, Pregame, Transactions

Juan Ocampo/Los Angeles Dodgers

Dodgers at Reds, 4:10 p.m.
Jimmy Rollins, SS
Yasiel Puig, RF
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Justin Turner, 3B
Scott Van Slyke, LF
Chase Utley, 2B
A.J. Ellis, C
Kiké Hernandez, CF
Alex Wood, P

By Jon Weisman

Yasmani Grandal is not expected to start before Thursday at the earliest because of an ailing left shoulder, Don Mattingly told reporters today.

Grandal is third on the Dodgers with 140 weighted runs created (wRC+), but he is 3 for 30 with five walks and no extra-base hits in his past 35 plate appearances. Mattingly said there is worry the shoulder condition is altering Grandal’s swing.

The 26-year-old catcher isn’t expected to go on the disabled list, especially with rosters expanding one week from today. But it will mean more work than usual for A.J. Ellis, who is quietly posting his best averages at the plate (.356 on-base percentage, .360 slugging percentage) since 2012.

The Dodgers need improvement from several players as they look to win their first game since August 16. During the current five-game losing streak …

Justin Turner is 1 for 18 with two walks and two errors.
Jimmy Rollins has a single, double and homer in 22 plate appearances.
Adrian Gonzalez has four singles and a walk in 20 plate appearances.
Scott Van Slyke, Carl Crawford and Alex Guerrero are a combined 1 for 28 with one walk.

Rollins’ third-inning home run six days ago at Oakland is the Dodgers’ most recent four-base hit.

https://twitter.com/DodgerInsider/status/636271626946940928https://twitter.com/DodgerInsider/status/636274568764657664

Alex Wood, who takes the mound today for the Dodgers, has been charged with exactly three runs on five hits with three walks in each of his past three starts.

Mat Latos pitched a five-inning simulated game Monday, and is scheduled to start Saturday against the Cubs, with Brett Anderson, Zack Greinke and Clayton Kershaw taking the starts between now and then. Juan Nicasio, as noted Monday, has been activated from the disabled list.

Mat Latos to be skipped in Dodger rotation

By Jon Weisman

On August 18, 2015

In Uncategorized

Juan Ocampo/Los Angeles Dodgers

By Jon Weisman

Don Mattingly told reporters today that Mat Latos would pitch out of the bullpen during this roadtrip, with Alex Wood moving up to start Wednesday at Oakland.

Latos has allowed 21 baserunners while striking out eight in 14 2/3 innings since being acquired by the Dodgers. He pitched six innings of one-run ball in his Dodger debut August 2, but allowed 10 earned runs in 8 2/3 innings over his next two starts.

The move also could help ensure Zack Greinke and Clayton Kershaw both pitch in the series against the Giants at Dodger Stadium from August 31-September 2, though obviously that is still a couple weeks off.

Juan Nicasio placed on disabled list, Chris Hatcher activated

By Jon Weisman

On August 14, 2015

In In case you missed it, Pregame

Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

Reds at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Jimmy Rollins, SS
Kiké Hernandez, 2B
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Scott Van Slyke, LF
Yasiel Puig, RF
Yasmani Grandal, C
Joc Pederson, CF
Alex Wood, P

By Jon Weisman

Juan Nicasio has been placed on the 15-day disabled list (retroactive to Aug. 10) with a left abdominal strain by the Dodgers, who have activated Chris Hatcher from the 60-day DL.

Carlos Frias, out since July 1, has been moved to the 60-day disabled list.

Nicasio has allowed 62 baserunners in 47 innings this season while striking out 52. Since allowing three runs on July 5 and again on July 7, the right-hander, who turns 29 at the end of the month, has allowed two runs in 11 innings (with 13 strikeouts) and stranded all three inherited runners.

Hatcher has allowed 31 baserunners in his 18 1/3 Dodger innings with 19 strikeouts.

Some other quick notes …

Yasmani Grandal has been nursing a sore left (non-throwing) shoulder, but is back in the lineup tonight. Justin Turner also makes his first start since returning from the disabled list.
Joc Pederson on Thursday hit his second homer since July 1. Mike Petriello looked at Pederson’s contact rates for MLB.com.
Mat Latos spoke about his own struggles Thursday after a second consecutive subpar start. From Bill Plunkett of the Register:

“I just need to get back to pitching like me instead of trying to fool everybody, throw too many breaking pitches and so on and so forth,” Latos said. “Go look back at video and try to make some adjustments on how I used to pitch when I was getting outs.”

Latos could not say when that drift occurred and whether the change was in response to a gameplan devised by his new team, saying only that it has been “kind of like spring training all over again, trying to get used to a new team, get used to a new catcher.”

“I honestly can’t tell you,” he said. “I need to go back and look a couple years back when I was more fastball dominant, throwing more fastballs, locating better. I’ve gotten away from that and started throwing much more off-speed.

The next two days at Dodger Insider will be relatively quiet because of family events. Will catch up with you soon …

Mat Latos ready for Dodger debut, as Yimi Garcia is optioned

By Jon Weisman

On August 2, 2015

In Pitching, Pregame, Transactions

Angels at Dodgers, 1:10 p.m.
Jimmy Rollins, SS
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Andre Ethier, RF
Yasmani Grandal, C
Carl Crawford, LF
Alberto Callaspo, 3B
Joc Pederson, CF
Mat Latos, P

By Jon Weisman

For the first two days of August, none of the players acquired by the Dodgers at the non-waiver trade deadline have been used. That changes today, when Mat Latos makes his first start for Los Angeles.

Latos is pitching on six days’ rest. In his final start for Miami, on July 26, he allowed three runs in six innings of a 3-2 loss at San Diego.

One thing I spotted with Latos — and honestly, I hadn’t noticed anything like this before — is that he has thrown four consecutive quality starts without exceeding 90 pitches. If he does it again, he will tie an MLB record, held by Bob Tewksbury, Marvin Freeman and Greg Maddux.

In his past five starts, Latos has averaged 6.5 innings per start and 13.2 pitches per inning. He has struck out 26 and walked five in that time.

To make room for Latos on the active roster, the Dodgers optioned Yimi Garcia to Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Garcia, who has a 3.99 ERA and 1.07 WHIP in 38 1/3 innings for the Dodgers this year, returned July 26 from a mid-July trip to Oklahoma City and pitched a shutout inning against Oakland on Tuesday. With 12.7 strikeouts per nine innings this season, Garcia still has great promise.

The revamped Dodger bullpen now features Kenley Jansen, Jim Johnson, Pedro Baez, Juan Nicasio and Joel Peralta from the right side, and J.P. Howell and Luis Avilan from the left. Jansen, who has allowed runs in his past three outings, has been battling a virus for the past week, as Steve Bourbon of MLB.com notes.

If a save situation were to arise today, Jansen would likely get the day off after throwing 50 pitches over the past two games. Conceivably, the Dodgers could use all newcomers on the mound, with Latos, Avilan and Johnson. (Neither Johnson nor Avilan have pitched since Monday.)

By the time Alex Wood starts for the Dodgers on Tuesday, he could be the Dodgers’ 50th player of the season. The team record is 53, set in 1944 and 1998.

Farhan Zaidi offers insight into dealmaking process

By Jon Weisman

On July 31, 2015

In Transactions

By Jon Weisman

As you might suspect, Major League trades — especially when there’s a deadline — don’t come in a neat and tidy process. It’s sloppy and time-consuming and anything but linear.

Tonight, Dodger general manager Farhan Zaidi spoke tonight the Dodgers’ deadline deals, and offered some interesting perspective about how they actually get approached and executed.

Here is a sampling of what he said. Well, not really a sampling — a rather large, detailed chunk …

Read More

Moving day brings major additions to Dodgers

By Jon Weisman

On July 30, 2015

In Transactions

[mlbvideo id=”302113183″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]

By Jon Weisman

It’s a massive move that puts five established pitchers in the Dodger starting rotation from now through October.

It’s a win-now, win-later maneuver that deepens the franchise for years to come.

In a three-team deal with Atlanta and Miami, the Dodgers have acquired left-handed pitchers Alex Wood and Luis Avilan, right-handers Mat Latos, Jim Johnson and Bronson Arroyo, second baseman-shortstop Jose Peraza and outfielder-first baseman Michael Morse.

Saturday, out of the park

By Jon Weisman

On December 17, 2011

In Ownership

Catching up today on some news new and old. Many of these items were tweeted by me over the past several days – don’t hesitate to follow.

Bill Shaikin of the Times explains why Frank McCourt won’t renege on selling the Dodgers.
Here’s a great piece by Chad Moriyama on the lazy comparisons baseball folk have been making between potential big-leaguer Yu Darvish and other pitchers from Asia.
Roughly 40 percent of the 2012 Dodger roster will be at least 33 years old next year, writes Mike Petriello of Mike Scioscia’s Tragic Illness.
Vance Lovelace and Rick Ragazzo will have greater influence in the Dodger front office, reports Ken Gurnick of MLB.com.

… Lovelace, previously a special assistant to the GM and director of player scouting, is now director of professional personnel. Ragazzo, previously a special assistant to the GM, is now director of pro scouting. …

… Logan White remains assistant GM in charge for amateur (Draft) and international scouting and DeJon Watson remains assistant GM for player development (Minor Leagues). Tony Howell and Ken Bracey remain as special assistants to Colletti. …
More than five years ago, I wrote about the legal action over payment of former Dodger Paul Shuey’s 2004 salary. Amazingly, as Shaikin notes at the Times, the battle is still going on.
Sandy Koufax, Maury Wills, Don Drysdale, Orel Hershiser, Steve Garvey, Davey Lopes, Bill Russell, Ron Cey, Mike Scioscia, Tommy Lasorda, Walter Alston and Fernando Valenzuela will all be featured in one way or another among the Dodgers’ 2012 bobbleheads.
Rubby De La Rosa’s injury was costly to the Dodgers in more ways than one, notes Mike Newman of Fangraphs.
Edwin Jackson is a better sign than C.J. Wilson, writes Joe Sheehan at SI.com.
Dodger hitting guru Dave Hansen is holding a baseball camp for kids ages 7-15 beginning December 19, according to Roberto Baly at Vin Scully Is My Homeboy.
From Steve Dilbeck at the Times’ Dodgers Blog: “INK BLUE.”
Change in the National League West: San Diego traded Mat Latos to Cincinnati for Edinson Volquez, Yonder Alonso, Yasmani Grandal and Brad Boxberger, while Colorado signed Michael Cuddyer for three years and $30 million. John Sickels has more on the Padres’ pickups at Minor League Ball, and there’s more reaction compiled at MLB Trade Rumors.
The Arizona Diamondbacks are going to recoup millions through a buyback of stadium construction bonds, reports Daniel Kaplan of Sports Business Journal.
Kirk Gibson: The NL’s most untraditional manager? Maybe so, says Jacob Peterson of Beyond the Boxscore.
USC grad Jason Lane, 35 this month, is returning to his pitching roots to try to keep his baseball career alive.
Dwight Evans was one of my favorite non-Dodgers of my younger years. Here’s a nice piece on him by David Laurila at Fangraphs.
Harrison Ford has been cast as Branch Rickey and newcomer Chadwick Boseman as Jackie Robinson in the film “42,” reports Justin Kroll of Variety.
“Moneyball” received four Golden Globe nominations from the decidedly unsporty Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the latest sign of appreciation for the film from a non-baseball audience.
A post at Variety’s On the Air blog by me extolls the virtues of “Bosom Buddies.”

Dodger Thoughts

Jon Weisman's outlet for dealing psychologically with the Los Angeles Dodgers, baseball and life

Tag: Mat Latos

NL ERA race hotter than Southern California

Joe Wieland to start for Dodgers tonight

Rollins, Grandal both in question

Mat Latos looks to renew success against Cubs

Shoulder sidelines Yasmani Grandal

Mat Latos to be skipped in Dodger rotation

Juan Nicasio placed on disabled list, Chris Hatcher activated

Mat Latos ready for Dodger debut, as Yimi Garcia is optioned

Farhan Zaidi offers insight into dealmaking process

Moving day brings major additions to Dodgers

Saturday, out of the park

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