Atomic RoadRunners

Josh Johnson fired eight shutout innings on Thursday as the Marlins topped the Phillies 2-0. Johnson improved to 7-3 on the year while out-dueling the best pitcher in the National League: Roy Halladay. He struck out five batters and allowed only one hit while keeping a talented Phillies lineup to three hits. Leo Nunez earned his 13th save of the season with a nearly spotless ninth inning. (Rotoworld)

Tyler Clippard struck out a pair of batters in a scoreless ninth inning to notch the first save of his career on Thursday. Matt Capps has been used heavily lately, so Clippard was given the opportunity to close it out on Thursday. It’s interesting to note that prized rookie Drew Storen did not get the ball in the ninth inning, but rather Clippard. (Rotowire)

Jose Tabata (hamstring) was back in the Pirates’ lineup Thursday. Tabata collected his first career RBI with an opposite field double against Livan Hernandez Thursday night. Tabata hustled on his double and ran hard down the first base line on an infield groundout. It looks like the Bucs dodged a bullet with Tabata, but the promising rookie has dealt with a history of hamstring injuries throughout his minor league career. The rookie was lifted from Wednesday’s game with a cramp, but clearly it was just a precautionary measure. Tabata hit .308/.373/.423 for Triple-A Indianapolis before getting promoted to the big leagues earlier this week and is expected to bring a spark to the Pirates’ starting lineup. (Rotowire)

Madison Bumgarner has been fined and suspended three games for his actions in a Triple-A game on Monday. Bumgarner melted down after a runner was called safe after a pickoff attempt at first base. With Todd Wellemeyer likely headed to the disabled list before his next start, this could make Bumgarner less likely to be called up to take his place. Still, his suspension, which will cost him a start in Triple-A, keeps him eligible to be join the Giants before Wellemeyer’s next scheduled start. (Rotoworld)

Brandon Phillips went 4-for-5 with a two-run triple as part of an eighth-inning rally in the Reds’ 7-6 win over the Giants on Thursday. After Phillips’ triple tied the game at six, Joey Votto singled the second baseman in for the go-ahead run. Phillips had his big game while hitting leadoff for the first time since April 13, 2007 and just the 12th time in his career. He’s actually done quite well in those games, hitting .280 with three homers, seven RBI, nine runs scored and six walks. (Rotoworld)

Mat Latos allowed two runs and two hits over six innings Thursday as the Padres beat the Mets 4-2 in the first game of a doubleheader. He struck out eight in outdueling Johan Santana. Latos retired the final 13 batters he faced, but the Padres still chose to take him out after 99 pitches. Of course, that was an easier call with their bullpen. Luke Gregerson, Mike Adams and Heath Bell all pitched perfect innings after Latos left. He improved to 6-4 with the victory, bouncing back from a shaky outing against the Phillies in his last road start. Earlier this season, it looked like Latos would have to be streamed for his home starts, but he’s looking like a viable option even in shallow mixed leagues for most of his matchups thanks to a 64:20 K:BB ratio in 72.1 innings. (Rotoworld, Rotowire)

Mat Latos gave up three runs and six hits in just 4.2 innings to take the loss against Atlanta on Thursday. Latos walked two and struck out three. Latos labored, throwing 93 pitches, and allowed another home run after surrendering three longballs in his first start. Latos has the upside and home park to be successful, but he’s just 22, so expect some growing pains. Latos surrendered six hits and two walks while throwing only 55 of his 93 pitches for strikes. He was a nice-looking sleeper during draft season, but hasn’t looked good and can probably be dropped in mixed leagues. He’s not getting a lot of strikeouts, is allowing too many runs and carries little win potential on the lowly Padres. There are better options out there. (Rotowire, CBS Sports)

In his season debut, Mat Latos gave up four runs in six innings Saturday against the Rockies in Coors Field, resulting in a no-decision. He struck out four (no walks) and threw 56 of his 84 pitches for strikes. His big pratfall was the longball – he allowed three home runs (two to Brad Hawpe and one to Chris Iannetta). Such things will happen when you make your season debut at Coors Field. He is a flyball pitcher, but that’s hardly a bad thing for a guy making half of his starts in Petco. In Fantasy Week 2 (April 12-18), Latos should get one start on Thursday against the Braves and Tim Hudson as Chris R. Young remains out of commission. Latos is a young hurler with upside, but remains just an NL-only option until he can prove to me a little more effective. (Rotoworld, Rotowire, CBS Sports)

Mat Latos is not on a pitch count to begin the season, according to General Manager Jed Hoyer, in a radio interview with XX Sports Radio 1090 on Thursday. His spring was spectacular, his prospect status is at its apex, and, for that, he gets to begin his season against the Rockies, in Denver, on Saturday. We’ll let you know how he does. (Rotowire)

Up:

• SP Mat Latos
• SP Ian Kennedy
• SP Chris Volstad

Down:

• RP Tyler Clippard
• RP Nick Masset
• RP LaTroy Hawkins

Notes:

• I bid $0 on new Marlins SP Nate Robertson, was outbid by The Pi Train, who was awarded Robertson for $1.
• The Pi Train was the only other team to submit FAAB bids, and received $4 OF Tyler Colvin and $2 SP Rodrigo Lopez.
• Was originally going to send down Juan Gutierrez, but the Diamondbacks are playing the Padres and Pirates this week, while Nick Masset’s Reds play the Cardinals and Cubs this week.  Perhaps the 5 earned runs in 1 inning that Masset gave up Opening Day had something to do with it.

(These post-draft roster moves are pre-FAAB and only for Opening Day, Monday, April 5th, 2010)

Up:

• RP Takashi Saito
• RP Brian Bruney
• RP Tyler Clippard
• RP Nick Masset
• RP Juan Gutierrez
• RP LaTroy Hawkins
• C Ronny Paulino

Down:

• SP Mat Latos
• SP Ian Kennedy
• SP Aroldis Chapman (AAA)
• RP Drew Storen (AA)
• SP Edinson Volquez (60-Day DL)
• SP Madison Bumgarner (AAA)
• C Buster Posey (AAA)

Notes:

• Since the only RoadRunner given an opening-day nod was Josh Johnson, I chose to flood the team with relief pitchers for the one-day week.

The Padres have named Mat Latos as their No. 5 starter. It’s the right move. There was some thought that he could begin the season in the minors, but a 1.59 ERA and a 14/5 K/BB ratio in 17 innings this spring effectively steered them in the other direction. Latos beat out Wade LeBlanc, Sean Gallagher and Tim Stauffer for the job. The 22-year-old righty was 4-5 with a 4.62 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 39/23 K/BB ratio in 50 2/3 innings in his first go-around at the major league level last season. He has electric stuff, so there’s real fantasy potential here, but remember that he is likely to face an innings limit. (Rotoworld)

Mat Latos allowed an unearned run over three innings in a 7-5 win over the Reds on Tuesday. Latos was pushed back from his scheduled start on Saturday due to a sore shoulder, but looked very sharp in his return, allowing just three hits while fanning three and walking two. He has a 1.59 ERA and a 14/5 K/BB ratio in 17 innings this spring. This should be enough for him to win the final spot in the rotation, though the team has yet to confirm that will be case. (Rotoworld)

Mat Latos was superb on Saturday, going five innings, allowing two hits (one of which was a home run), walking none and striking out five Chicago White Sox. His spring era now stands at 1.93 and there is virtually no chance he will not begin the season in San Diego’s rotation; assuming he stays healthy, of course. Andruw Jones homered off him, but he was very sharp otherwise. He struck out five and walked none in lowering his spring ERA to 1.93. Even though both Tim Stauffer and Sean Gallagher have an advantage in that they’re out of options, Latos has made a strong case for claiming the opening in San Diego’s rotation. (Rotoworld, Rotowire)

Mat Latos was superb on Saturday, going five innings, allowing two hits (one of which was a home run), walking none and striking out five Chicago White Sox. His spring era now stands at 1.93 and there is virtually no chance he will not begin the season in San Diego’s rotation; assuming he stays healthy, of course. Andruw Jones homered off him, but he was very sharp otherwise. He struck out five and walked none in lowering his spring ERA to 1.93. Even though both Tim Stauffer and Sean Gallagher have an advantage in that they’re out of options, Latos has made a strong case for claiming the opening in San Diego’s rotation. (Rotoworld, Rotowire)

It now appears the vacant fifth starter’s job is in the hands of Mat Latos, North County Times reports. With Tim Stauffer, Sean Gallagher and Wade LeBlanc all providing positives this spring, Latos has been the standout. “If Mat Latos continues to pitch well, you’ll see him on the team,” manager Bud Black said. While that is not a ringing endorsement, Black has stated the organization’s plan is for Latos to throw between 150-190 innings this season and where better then the back end of San Diego’s rotation. Don’t expect a decision anytime soon, however. “But we still have two weeks before we have to make final decisions, and we may use all that time,” Black said. We’ll keep you posted. (Rotowire)

Padres manager Bud Black said that Mat Latos could throw anywhere from 150-190 innings this season, reports Corey Brock of MLB.com. Earlier in the same day, Padres general manager Jed Hoyer told Brock that Latos would throw between 140-150 innings this season, and Black obviously doesn’t seem too confident about his estimate, so take the above with a grain of salt. “Pitch count and workload are being scrutinized more than ever [throughout baseball,” said the Padres’ skipper. Remember that Tim Stauffer and Sean Gallagher are currently out of options, so while Latos could begin the season in the minors, he’ll certainly play a role at some point. Once he does, he’s immediately relevant in mixed leagues. (Rotoworld)

Mat Latos yielded one run in four innings in a 7-1 win over the Giants on Monday night. Wade LeBlanc, another fifth starter candidate, followed Latos with four scoreless frames. Keep in mind that they were facing a split-squad team, but Latos was very solid, allowing three hits while walking two and striking out three. He reached 96 mph on the radar gun. The 22-year-old might get squeezed to begin the season thanks to Tim Stauffer and Sean Gallagher being out of options, but this kind of talent can’t be held back for long. He’s worth an investment in keeper leagues. (Rotoworld)

After entering to start the fourth, Mat Latos allowed an unearned run over three innings Wednesday versus the Brewers. His own error led to the run. Latos has given up one earned run in five innings this spring. It’s probably not going to be enough for him to just outpitch Tim Stauffer and Sean Gallagher this spring, since those two are out of options. Still, he is the big-time talent in the bunch. Latos was credited with a hold on Wednesday, and the key here is that Latos followed Sean Gallagher, his main competitor for the fifth starter’s job. The 22-year old struck out two during his time on the mound and, most certainly, kept his hat in the ring. This will be something to monitor as the spring continues. (Rotoworld, Rotowire)

Padres manager Bud Black hinted on Tuesday that he may enter the season with an 11-man pitching staff, the North County Times reports. This will mean that Mat Latos will not see his first start until April 19 at the earliest. Keep this in mind if you own or are planning to bid on Latos. (Rotowire)