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Mat Latos signs with Angels

By Ian O'Brien

Aug 2, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Mat Latos (55) in the second inning of the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 2, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Mat Latos (55) in the second inning of the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Los Angeles Angels have beefed up their pitching staff by signing Mat Latos, who served a brief and disastrous stint with the Los Angeles Dodgers before being released.

According to Sports Illustrated, Latos has agreed to a minor-league deal with the Angels after spending two months with the Dodgers. The Dodgers had acquired Latos in a trade with the Miami Marlins along with Alex Wood from the Atlanta Braves in an effort to bolster their starting pitching depth.

However, Latos struggled mightily in six starts as he posted a 6.66 ERA. Wood has not fared much better for the Dodgers with a 4.55 ERA. As a result, the Dodgers’ rotation has remained a two-man wrecking crew. Luckily, that crew consists of two Cy Young favorites in Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke.

Meanwhile, the Angels have been searching for a solution to their starting pitching. Jered Weaver and C.J. Wilson have shown signs of decline while Hector Santiago has fallen back to Earth in the second half since making his first All-Star Game.

Latos may become a surprise gem for the Angels in 2016, as he is not eligible to pitch in the playoffs. He has shown signs of All-Star ability in the past, most notably in his early career with the San Diego Padres. The 27-year-old threw 189 strikeouts in 184 innings with a 2.92 ERA in the 2010 season.

The Angels are currently half a game behind the Houston Astros for the second wild card berth, and they will likely face the New York Yankees for a trip to the ALDS if they are able to make it that far.

It remains to be seen whether the Angels can build on their five-game winning streak. They will end their home schedule against the Oakland A’s before their season ends with a four-game road series against the American League West-leading Texas Rangers.

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