Jake Latz up, Dane Dunning to COVID i.l.

The Texas Rangers have placed pitcher Dane Dunning on the COVID-19 injured list. To replace him on the active roster, the Rangers have brought up pitcher Jake Latz. Latz is starting for the Rangers tonight.

Dunning is one of the players who had previously been identified as having been put in the COVID-19 protocols. He is reportedly still in Boston, along with other Rangers players who have been put in the protocol, due to COVID-19 issues arising during their series in Boston.

Latz, 25, was a 5th round pick of the Rangers out of Kent State in 2017. After a successful 2019 campaign, he was at the Alternate Training Site in 2020, but was not brought to the majors, or added to the 40 man roster this past offseason. Latz has a 4.98 ERA in 72.1 IP in 17 outings between AA Frisco and AAA Round Rock this year, with 93 Ks against 32 walks. Latz’s main issue this year has been homer runs, as he has allowed 13 on the year.

It would appear that the Rangers’ situation classifies as an “outbreak,” which, under MLB rules, means that Latz, who had to be added to the 40 man roster to join the active roster, will be able to be removed from the 40 man and active roster and returned to the minors without having to be put on waivers.