White Sox sign pitcher Mat Latos to 1-year, $3 million deal

Feb. 09--The White Sox have agreed to a one-year, $3 million deal with right-handed pitcher Mat Latos, the club announced Tuesday.

From 2010-2013 with the Padres and Reds, the 6-foot-6, 245-pound Latos started at least 31 games and posted an ERA under 3.50 each season. He had three 14-victory seasons during that stretch.

But he will look for a bounce-back year after being hindered by injuries the last two seasons. He made just 16 starts with the Reds in 2014 while dealing with meniscus surgery in his left knee and a bone bruise in his elbow. In 2015, he went 4-10 with a 4.95 ERA with the Marlins, Dodgers and Angels in 24 appearances.

The Sox needed extra depth at the back end of the rotation, as left-hander John Danks and right-handers Erik Johnson and Jacob Turner were the main options to fill the fourth and fifth spots. Johnson has had limited major-league experience, while Turner is trying to make a comeback from previous injuries.

"While we believe in the futures of several of our young starters, the chance to add a pitcher of Mat's caliber was too good of an opportunity for us to pass up," Sox general manager Rick Hahn said in a statement. "He has proven over his career that when healthy, he takes the baseball and logs quality innings."

The Sox 40-man roster is now at 40.

Another addition: The Sox also added first baseman Travis Ishikawa on a minor-league deal with an invitation to spring training.

Ishikawa is an eight-year major-league veteran who played 44 games in 2015 with the Giants and Pirates.