LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 13: Mat Latos #55 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws a pitch against the Cincinnati Reds at Dodger Stadium on August 13, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
Trade deadline pickup Mat Latos won't be doing the very thing he was acquired by the Los Angeles Dodgers to do over the next two weeks.
Manager Don Mattingly announced that the Dodgers will go to a four-man rotation over the next two weeks and send Latos to the bullpen in the meantime.
The move, Mattingly says, is mainly structured to give aces Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke as many starts as possible over the next two weeks, during which the Dodgers have two days off to keep the rotation on schedule.
"It allows us to maximize the off-days, basically making sure Zack and Clayton are getting as many turns around as we can," Mattingly said. "Part of this is to give Mat a chance to continue to work on things. But again, if I'm being 100 percent honest, it's about getting Zack and Clayton lined up and, with these off days, not having to wait seven days to pitch."
Joining Kershaw and Greinke in the four-man rotation are lefties Brett Anderson and Alex Wood, who was recently acquired by the Dodgers from the Braves.
Latos' season has been marred by inconsistency, which has carried over in his short stint with the Dodgers so far.
After putting together a good performance in his Los Angeles debut, the 27-year-old righty has lost back-to-back starts, surrendering a total of 10 earned runs in 8 2/3 innings.
"Mat's a pro. He understands that we'll try to line up our rotation the best way possible and he acknowledged that he hasn't pitched his best," Mattingly said. "It gives him a chance to continue to work and just be ready to go when we get there. Obviously, we're still going to need him."
(h/t Orange County Register)
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