With pitching injuries mounting Los Angeles Angels sign turn to Mat Latos

The Los Angeles Angels have already lost Huston Street and Joe Smith for the remainder of the regular season due to injuries.  Sunday afternoon Jered Weaver came out of his start after only 71 pitches with a right shoulder strain.  In addition, Matt Shoemaker will not be able to make his scheduled start on Tuesday due to an arm injury as well, so the Angels went to the waiver wire and claimed right-handed pitcher Mat Latos who pitched for both the Marlins and Dodgers this season before being released last week.  Latos was 4-10 this season with a 4.95 ERA with the Marlins and the Dodgers.  Latos was acquired in a trade with the Marlins by the Dodgers but went 0-3 with 6.66 ERA inn six starts and one relief appearance.

Overall in his career Latos actually has pretty good numbers with a career mark of 64-55 with a 3.51 ERA pitching for the San Diego Padres and the Cincinnati Reds.  Earlier this season he went six innings allowing only one run against the Angels in his best starter as a Dodger.  What his role will be is anyone’s guess, but he could take the place of Weaver or Shoemaker if they can’t make their final regular season starts against Texas in what is turning out to be a pivotal series that will determine the Angels playoff fate. They could also use him out of the bullpen, but that is not likely as he has only made one career relief appearance.  Does Latos have a future after this week with the Angels, most likely not as he will be a free agent when the season ends, but never say never.

Latos has pitched in the post-season once in 2012 for the Reds, so he does have experience down the stretch.  Hopefully, for the Angels Latos, who has never pitched in the American League before, will be up to the challenge if he is called upon.