Dodgers News: Mat Latos Released 8 Days After Being Designated For Assignment

With the Los Angeles Dodgers in the home stretch of their regular-season schedule and closing in on a third consecutive National League West division title, any roster discussion is largely focused on who manager Don Mattingly will carry in the NL Division Series.

However, the Dodgers on Friday tied up a loose end by releasing pitcher Mat Latos eight days after he was designated for assignment. Latos was acquired in the trade with the Miami Marlins with hope he’d provide stability to a Dodgers rotation that had been thrown into flux due to injury.

Latos instead struggled, going 0-3 with a 6.66 ERA and 1.52 WHIP over six starts with the Dodgers. He was twice moved to the bullpen — with the first instance creating a 16-day period between starts, which Latos was not pleased with.

In later addressing the decision to cut ties with the right-hander, Dodgers manager Don Mattingly acknowledged Latos simply failed to find his footing in Los Angeles, and the club needed a roster spot to active Carlos Frias from the 60-day disabled list.

Latos’ final start with the Dodgers came Sept. 3 when he tossed four innings against the San Diego Padres. The outing was cut short with the Padres leading and Mattingly opting to go with an early pinch-hitter in effort to get on the board.

That didn’t sit well with Latos, who expressed frustration with being on what he described a “quick leash.” He later met with Mattingly to clear the air. Latos’ final appearance with the club was in the 16-inning affair on Sept. 15. He surrendered the go-ahead home run and was designated for assignment two days later.

The 27 year old is a combined 4-10 with a 4.95 ERA, 3.54 FIP and 1.31 WHIP this season, which is a contract year.