Miami Marlins: Latos’ Last Start? Afternoon Links and Preview

Today may be Mat Latos‘ last start in a Marlins uniform as Miami looks to split the series in San Diego. We’ve already witnessed the dealing of reliever Steve Cishek, and perhaps Miami’s duo of rental righties (Latos and Haren) is next.

If Latos were to make another start for the Marlins following today’s outing, it would come after July 31st’s trade deadline. And isn’t it fitting that this start is in San Diego, the first team he pitched for?

I expect a lot of emotions will be running through the right-hander’s head on the mound today. In his last start, Latos fired seven shutout innings in Arizona. He looks to further improve his stock with another solid start today. His opponent will be Odrisamer Despaigne, who posts a 3-7 record in 2015.

From around the web:

Righties Latos, Despaigne square off in finale — Joe Frisaro, MLB.com

It’s will be a bit of a homecoming for Marlins right-hander Mat Latos, an 11th-round Draft pick of the Padres in 2006. The 27-year-old spent three seasons in San Diego, but Sunday he will be pitching for Miami in the series finale at Petco Park.

The Padres counter with Odrisamer Despaigne, who has had his struggles all season. The right-hander is has not won since May 31, a span of eight starts. He is 0-4 in that stretch and has been unable to pitch as many as six innings in his last five outings.

Latos’ overall record isn’t sterling — 4-6 with a 4.48 ERA. But he’s been one of the team’s hottest starters of late, posting a 3-2 (3.60 ERA) mark with 45 strikeouts in 45 innings over his last seven outings. (Read More Here)

Marlins starters likely become more valuable following Johnny Cueto deal — Scott Gelman, Fishstripes

Scott Kazmir and Johnny Cueto are now off the market. Kazmir was traded to Houston on Thursday and Cueto is reportedly joining the Royals as of Sunday afternoon. The market for starting pitching has started to heat up and as a result Miami’s available starting pitchers will likely become even more valuable.

Dan Haren and Mat Latos are among the Marlins’ pitchers drawing interest and both could be dealt before the end of next week. Brad Hand, Mike Dunn, Michael Morse, and Derek Dietrich have also all consistently been mentioned in trade rumors over the past few days. (Read More Here)

Henderson Alvarez to see Dr. James Andrews Monday — Ehsan Kassim, Marlin Maniac

In not so surprising news to everyone but the Miami Marlins, Henderson Alvarez suffered a setback with his shoulder earlier this week. Alvarez has been on the disabled list a total of 4 times with shoulder related issues, in his 3 seasons with the Miami Marlins.

My biggest fear is that if Alvarez does indeed need surgery on his shoulder, is if he’ll ever pitch another game in a Marlins uniform again. Alvarez collected $4 million in his first go-around in arbitration this past off-season. He’ll be arbitration eligible two more times before he can become a free agent after the 2017 season. (Read More Here)

Game Information:

First Pitch: 4:10 ET

TV: Fox Sports Florida

Radio: 940 WINZ

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