2015 Dodgers review: Mat Latos

The Dodgers acquired four pitchers in their three-team, 13-player trade with the Braves and Marlins on July 30, but it was Mat Latos who stood out as the one counted on for the most impact in 2015. But though he was acquired to be a third starter, Latos stumbled badly in his time in Los Angeles and was quickly banished to the bullpen, then eventually off the roster.

What went right

With Miami, Latos got off to a poor start in 2015 but after a three-week stint on the disabled list with left knee inflammation looked more like his old self in a seven-start stretch just before the trade, more like the pitcher who put up a 3.27 ERA and 116 ERA+ from 2010-2014, including averaging 186 strikeouts and 200 innings per season from 2010-2013.

Latos continued that momentum in his first start as a Dodger, surrendering just one run on four hits in six innings on Aug. 2 against the Angels in a game the Dodgers would eventually win.

Latos at the plate got a hit in each of his first two Dodgers starts, and was 2-for-6 with a run scored with Los Angeles.

What went wrong

After that initial start with the Dodgers, it was pretty much all downhill for the right-hander. Latos only struck out one in that game against the Angels, then none in his second start, which gave him the odd accomplishment of striking out just one of 42 batters faced in his first two Dodgers starts, and that batter was Mike Trout.

Latos struck out 17 percent of his batters faced as a Dodger, down from 21.9 percent in his career through 2014.

Latos made four more starts with the Dodgers, never lasting longer than 4⅔ innings in any start, allowing 17 runs on 26 hits in 17⅓ innings during that span. He was banished to the bullpen after his third start as a Dodger, then after a few more spot starts was demoted from the rotation again.

The right-hander even had a bad time in the timing department, complaining about a quick leash after a game that saw him allow four runs in four innings.

Latos made one relief appearance for the Dodgers, pitching the 16th inning in a marathon game against the Rockies on Sept. 15, allowing a home run to Nolan Arenado to suffer the loss. It was the final game as a Dodger for Latos, who was designated for assignment on Sept. 17 and released a week later.

2015 particulars

Age: 27

Stats: 6.66 ERA, 4.00 FIP, 0-3 in 6 games, including 5 starts, -0.6 rWAR, 0.2 fWAR

Salary: $9.4 million; of which the Dodgers were responsible for roughly $3.42 million.

Game of the year

We have to go with that Aug. 2 start against the Angels, with the one run allowed in six innings, plus 1-for-2 at the plate.

"I'm just glad I didn't get booed like I did in Miami in my first start," Latos joked after that first start with the Dodgers.

Roster status

Latos is a free agent.