ANAHEIM , Calif. -- The Los Angeles Dodgers scratched veteran pitcher Mat Latos from his scheduled start Wednesday night against the Los Angeles Angels because of a stiff neck. Joe Wieland was named the starting pitcher in Latos' place.
Latos, who is 0-2 with a 6.56 ERA for the Dodgers, was acquired from the Miami Marlins shortly before the July 31 trade deadline in a three-team, 13-player deal that also involved the Atlanta Braves. After his most recent start last Thursday in San Diego, Latos complained about what he called the "short leash" of manager Don Mattingly, who removed him after four innings. Latos had allowed four runs on eight hits.
Wieland, 25, made one start for the Dodgers this season, giving up six runs on six hits in 4 2/3 innings. He spent most of the season with Triple-A Oklahoma City, where he went 10-5 with a 4.59 ERA.
Latos' future in the Dodgers' rotation is somewhat in doubt moving forward, not because of the neck stiffness but because the team is inserting Mike Bolsinger back in its rotation Friday in Arizona, giving them five starters. Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said there are no plans at the moment to use Latos in an upcoming start. Latos will be a free agent next winter.
Zack Greinke and Clayton Kershaw are getting an extra day of rest before their next scheduled starts. Greinke will pitch Sunday and Kershaw on Monday. Brett Anderson, who had a calf cramp in his last start, will pitch Tuesday on eight days' rest.
"Obviously, we're going to prioritize Zack and Clayton and Brett as much as we can going forward, making sure they get rest," Mattingly said. "The other guys, we're going to match up as best we can."
