Pirates interested in Mat Latos as latest reclamation project - MLB

Their never-ending search for possible pitching reclamation projects has led the Pirates to express interest in free agent right-hander Mat Latos, according to Travis Sawchik of the Pittsburgh Tribune Review.

Latos posted a sub-3.50 ERA every season from 2010-2014, but then injuries derailed him and his performance fell apart this year. He pitched for three teams in 2015, struggling for the Dodgers, Angels, and Marlins with a combined 4.95 ERA in 113 innings. He also left at least two of those teams amid stories of clubhouse issues.

Latos is still just 28 years old and getting him back on track would provide a huge return on what figures to be a minimal investment, following the same path the Pirates took with recent scrap-heap success stories like Francisco Liriano, A.J. Burnett, and Edinson Volquez.

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LOS ANGELES — Giancarlo Stanton, Josh Donaldson and Tommy Kahnle appear set to rejoin the New York Yankees ahead of their series opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

New York cleared three roster spots, saying that infielder-outfielders Oswaldo Cabrera and Franchy Cordero had been optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre along with left-hander Matt Krook after a 1-0 loss at Seattle.

Stanton, Donaldson and Kahnle all played in a rehab game for Double-A Somerset. Stanton was hitless in three at-bats in his first appearance since injuring his left hamstring on April 15.

Donaldson went 1 for 4 in his fourth rehab game as he comes back from a strained right hamstring originally sustained on April 5.

Kahnle pitched one inning, giving up one run and one hit and walking two. He has been out since spring training with right biceps tendinitis.

Boone said he wasn’t concerned about Stanton potentially returning after playing in just one rehab game. He did say that Stanton likely will be a designated hitter for a couple of weeks after rejoining the Yankees.