MLB News: Chicago White Sox DFA Mat Latos, Sign Justin Morneau


Ahead of their 3-1 win over the Washington Nationals last night, the Chicago White Sox (30-30) made a few roster moves that will impact the rest of the season.

Starting pitcher Mat Latos was designated for assignment, as first reported by Dan Hayes of CSN Chicago. Latos’ roster spot was taken by the 21-year-old right-hander and former 2013 second-round draft pick, Tyler Danish.

The DFA ends Latos’ overall disappointing stint in the Windy City. After starting out strong, pitching to a robust 0.74 ERA through his first four outings (4-0 record), Latos’ struggles from last season reemerged. While he sports a solid 6-2 record this year, the Florida native’s ERA has risen to 4.62 after a string of rough outings. He failed to last more than five-and-one-third innings in his past seven starts.

Following his most recent outing — allowing six runs, five hits, and four walks in four-and-one-third innings versus the Washington Nationals — Latos had a harsh self-assessment.

“I walked, what, three, four, five, six, seven? I don’t know,” Latos said. “I walked a (crap)-ton of people. It was just a piss-poor effort, period.”

According to FanGraphs, Latos’ fastball velocity sat at a career-low 90.7 mph. It’s a steep fall from 94 mph Latos routinely averaged with his heater earlier in his career. After being sent from the Cincinnati Reds to the Miami Marlins in a trade prior to the 2015 season, Latos has appeared with five different teams since last 2014 (Reds, Marlins, Dodgers, Angels, and White Sox).

While the start to his White Sox tenure was encouraging, Latos’ decline was not a surprise, as GM Rick Hahn explained to reporters.

“We started to see a little bit more from him that was more similar to what we saw in March as opposed to the better results we saw in April.”

Danish, who owns a 3-7 record with a 4.42 ERA in 12 starts and 75-and-one-third innings in Double-A, will get a shot. Entering the season, he was rated as Chicago’s ninth best prospect by Baseball America.

Since making his professional debut in 2013, Danish sports a 20-22 record with a 3.39 ERA in 337 innings and 78 games (64 starts). He joins a rotation comprised of recent acquisition James Shields, Cy Young candidate Chris Sale, Jose Quintana, and Miguel Gonzalez.

As for the offense, the White Sox signed former American League MVP Justin Morneau to a one-year, $1 million deal, as announced by the team.

The White Sox immediately placed Morneau on the 15-day disabled list as he continues to recover from offseason elbow surgery. While a timeline on his return to action is unclear, the Chicago Tribune noted that the team expects him back around the All-Star break.

When Adam LaRoche surprised the White Sox (and the MLB) by retiring amid controversy over bringing his son to the clubhouse, the team was left with a left-handed hitting void in the lineup. While Morneau remains a question mark, he could fill that void admirably.

A former MVP with the division rival Minnesota Twins in 2006, Morneau has not hit more than 18 HR since 2010. However, even while fighting injuries last year, he posted a strong 0.310/0.363/0.458 line with three HR and 15 RBIs for the Colorado Rockies. The year prior, he led the National League in batting average (0.319).

“If you would have told me a few years ago this is where I’d end up, I don’t know if I would have believed you,” Morneau said to the Chicago Tribune, referencing his 11-year run in the Twin Cities. “But I’m thankful for it now and happy that I’m here.”

If he can return, Morneau figures to receive a lot of time as designated hitter — to cope with his decorated injury history — while infrequently spelling Jose Abreu at first base.

“Hopefully be back sooner than later to help this team try and get back into a playoff spot. That’s really what I’m here for.”

[Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images]

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