Scratch doesn’t sit well with Latos
Mat Latos was noticeably grumpy Wednesday. “I’m not talking,” he said, walking away. Earlier in the day, Latos was scratched from his scheduled start in the Dodgers’ series finale against the Angels. He was said to have a stiff neck.
Latos was replaced by Joe Wieland, who spent the majority of his season at triple A.
Manager Don Mattingly said that he was alerted about Latos’ condition only the day before.
“They sent him home, hoping today would be better,” Mattingly said.
With Mattingly naming the starting pitchers for the Dodgers’ next five games, it’s unknown where Latos now fits into the rotation, if at all.
Acquired from the Miami Marlins leading up to the July 31 nonwaiver trade deadline, Latos is 0-2 with a 6.56 earned-run average in five starts with the Dodgers.
He has failed to complete five innings in each of his last four.
Alex Wood will pitch Friday in the opening game of a three-game series at Arizona, followed by Mike Bolsinger and Zack Greinke. Clayton Kershaw will start Monday in a series opener against the Colorado Rockies, with Brett Anderson scheduled to start Tuesday.
Anderson’s start was pushed back from Friday, as the left-hander was recovering from a calf cramp he suffered in his most recent start.
“Obviously, we’re going to prioritize Zack, Clayton and Brett as much as we can going forward, making sure they get rest,” Mattingly said.
‘Lefty killer’
Mattingly and Kershaw offered similar scouting reports on Justin Ruggiano ,a journeyman outfielder the Dodgers acquired from the Seattle Mariners in a minor league trade Aug. 31. “He thumps lefties,” Mattingly said. “A lefty killer,” Kershaw said. The right-handed-hitting Ruggiano has thrived in a specialized role with the Dodgers, going into Wednesday’s game five for 11 with two home runs, two doubles and six runs batted in.
Facing Angels left-hander Andrew Heaney on Tuesday, Ruggiano led off the game with a home run.
“Tough out for a lefty,” Kershaw said. “Just battles you.”
Ruggiano was drafted by the Dodgers but was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays before reaching the major leagues.
Extra bases
The game-opening homers by Ruggiano Tuesday and Scott Schebler Wednesday night marked the first time the Dodgers hit leadoff homers in consecutive games since July 12-13, 1951, when then-Brooklyn outfielder Carl Furillo went deep twice against the Chicago Cubs. ... Carl Crawford was out of the starting lineup because of a tight back. … Jimmy Rollins remained sidelined because of a jammed right knuckle but is expected to play Friday. … Right-hander Josh Ravin underwent sports hernia surgery. … Three of the Dodgers’ minor league affiliates reached their respective postseasons: triple-A Oklahoma City, high-A Rancho Cucamonga and low-A Great Lakes.