Mat Latos talks to Don Mattingly about postgame comments

Dodgers starter Mat Latos gave up eight hits and four runs in four innings Thursday night against the Padres in San Diego.

Columnist

Sept. 4, 2015 6:46 PM PT

Reporting from San Diego — Dodgers pitcher Mat Latos spoke Friday with Manager Don Mattingly about comments Latos made the previous night.

After pitching only four innings Thursday in the Dodgers’ 10-7 loss to the San Diego Padres, Latos complained that his early removal from the game prevented him from developing a rhythm.

Latos initiated the conversation with Mattingly, who said he didn’t read Latos’ remarks.

“I don’t mind guys wanting to be out there, but like any other day, I was trying to win a game at that point,” Mattingly said.

Latos, who was acquired on July 30 from the Miami Marlins as part of a three-team trade involving the Atlanta Braves, has pitched fewer than five innings in each of his last four starts.

“I understand what he’s saying,” Mattingly said. “For him to get rhythm, the more he pitches, probably the better he’ll be. But there’s a time luxury right now that we don’t have.”

Mattingly said the team’s decision-makers still haven’t decided whether to remove Latos from the rotation.

Latos’ potential replacement, Mike Bolsinger, will start Friday.

“There’s a lot of factors, not just Bols, which way we go, even matchups with different teams,” Mattingly said.