Cincinnati Reds Pitcher Mat Latos is Tough Enough to Survive Ankle Pain

When you think of a baseball player being tough you probably do not think about pitchers immediately. Mat Latos of the Cincinnati Reds would prove that wrong. He took a liner off of his ankle the other day and it did very little to slow him down. It is just the next event in a career that is growing year by year into that of a solid and reliable starting pitcher in the major leagues.

Last season was his first playing for the Reds and it was not a disappointing trip. Latos was good for 14 wins and a 3.48 ERA. His WHIP is always close to one and simply has been getting better with each passing season. Regardless of what has happened he has continued to press on and improve. That is the mark of someone who really has the desire to be a great pitcher in the major leagues.

The line drive off of his ankle instantly made the ankle go numb. He was walking around the mound trying to get enough feeling to throw his next pitch when Dusty Baker took him out of the game. He jokingly told the lady doing X-Rays that he wanted a cast with spikes if it was broken.

When it comes down to it, Latos seems determined enough that I doubt he would have missed a start even if it was broken. That seems impossible but I was convinced. It should all combine for another great season for him. Look for his good numbers to take the next step forward and possibly get him close to twenty wins if the Reds compete.

David Miller is a Senior Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @davidmillerrant, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google₊.