Marlins rotation after All-Star break murky because of Mat Latos’ injury
Jose Fernandez will get the first start after the All-Star break for the Marlins. Beyond that, the rotation becomes murky, mainly because of the uncertainty surrounding Mat Latos.
Latos was scratched from Saturday’s start against the Reds because of bruising and swelling of his right foot.
Latos said he thinks he will be OK to pitch after the All-Star break.
“Nothing’s broken, so nothing’s serious,” Latos said.
Latos was sitting in the dugout during Thursday’s game when a foul ball off the bat of Christian Yelich struck his foot.
“Got hit in the toes,” Latos said. “It sounds stupid just to say it, but it is what it is. They’re just really swollen. The whole underneath of both my toes are black and blue. If I can’t walk, I can’t pitch.”
Latos has battled numerous injuries this season.
Asked if the rash of injuries have made this a frustrating season for him, Latos replied: “It’s actually kind of comical when you look at it. I’m in the dugout watching a ballgame, and I get hit with a line drive on my toes. What else can I do other than stay in [the clubhouse during the game] or wrap myself in bubble wrap and sit in the dugout?”
The Marlins called up left-hander Adam Conley from Triple A New Orleans to make the emergency start Saturday.
PRADO CLOSE
The Marlins will have to wait until after the All-Star break to welcome the return of third baseman Martin Prado. Manager Dan Jennings thought there was a chance he could have been activated Sunday, but that’s not the case.
Prado has been on the disabled list since June 15 with a right-shoulder sprain.
ALVAREZ REHAB
Henderson Alvarez will likely begin a minor-league rehab pitching assignment with Single A Jupiter on either Sunday or Monday. Alvarez, who has been on the DL since May 23 with right shoulder inflammation, threw a bullpen session Friday.
Jennings said Alvarez would start out by throwing 45 pitches for the Hammerheads.
“Everything’s positive, trending the right way,” Jennings said of Alvarez, the Marlins’ Opening Day starter. “I think we’re moving in a big hurry towards him beginning his rehab — Sunday or Monday — in Jupiter.”
KELLY HAS TEAR
Backup infielder Don Kelly, who has been on the disabled list since April with a broken finger, revealed Saturday that he has a “significant tear” in his right elbow and is scheduled to see Dr. James Andrews on Monday. Tommy John surgery is a possibility.
Kelly said he was playing through elbow discomfort before a ground ball broke his finger.
“If it was [just] the finger, I probably would have been back in four weeks,” Kelly said. “When I came back from the finger, we got an MRI [on the elbow] and had a significant tear.”
COMING UP
▪ Sunday: Marlins RHP Dan Haren (6-5, 3.34 ERA) vs. Cincinnati Reds RHP Johnny Cueto (6-5, 2.61), 1:10 p.m., Marlins Park.
▪ Monday-Thursday: All-Star break.
This story was originally published July 11, 2015 at 7:18 PM with the headline "Marlins rotation after All-Star break murky because of Mat Latos’ injury."