Source: Nats will call up Latos in September
Veteran right-hander had clause to opt out of Minor League deal Monday
WASHINGTON -- Right-hander Mat Latos is expected to join the Nationals once the Major League rosters expand to 40, a baseball source confirmed to MLB.com.
The Nationals have not confirmed the report.
Latos, who had a chance to opt out of his Minor League deal on Monday, will likely pitch one more game for Triple-A Syracuse on Thursday against Pawtucket before joining the Major League club, the source said.
Once Latos joins the Nats, he will be reunited with manager Dusty Baker. The two worked together with the Reds in 2012 and '13. Latos won 28 combined games under Baker those two seasons.
Latos began the 2016 season with the White Sox, with whom he went 6-2 with a 4.62 ERA. Latos was released by Chicago on June 17, and he signed a Minor League deal with Washington 12 days later.
Latos has made six starts in the Nationals' Minor League system, posting a 1.64 ERA in three starts with the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League club and a 2.12 ERA in three starts with Syracuse.
Latos is 70-57 with a 3.57 ERA in 188 games (185 starts) with the Padres, Reds, Marlins, Dodgers, Angels and White Sox.