After injury, Latos' status unclear for next start

MIAMI -- Mat Latos' status for his next start remains up in the air. The right-hander is continuing to have his strained left hamstring evaluated.

If the 27-year-old isn't ready to go, the Marlins will consider their backup plan, which could be to start lefty Brad Hand.

Latos tweaked his hamstring during an at-bat on Wednesday, when he singled in the fifth inning against the Mets. After reaching first base, he was immediately lifted.

"We're going to have to evaluate him," manager Mike Redmond said. "We're not sure yet. We'll see how he feels today, and make a decision on that."

Latos is lined up to start on Tuesday at Washington. But he could be pushed back a day or two, or skipped completely. If the hamstring doesn't progress, a disabled list stint also is possible.

"We've got to wait and see how he feels, and see if he can throw," Redmond said.

Latos has made five starts and is 0-3 with a 6.86 ERA. He was not involved in the decision on Wednesday, and Miami came back to win, 7-3.

Hand made the club as a long-reliever and spot starter. But he hasn't been used much. He last pitched on April 19 at the Mets, logging two innings.

His season-most innings and pitches came on April 7, when he threw 4 1/3 innings of scoreless relief, racking up 70 pitches.

If the club feels Hand isn't built up enough to start, Miami has a couple of options at Triple-A New Orleans: Jose Urena and Justin Nicolino.

"We have Brad Hand down there in the bullpen, he can start," Redmond said. "He's done that role. We have some options. We'd have to sit down and figure that out, if that point comes where [Latos] has to miss a start.

"[Hand] was stretched. We used him quite a bit early and then not so much. We have a few guys we haven't used in a while."