Dodgers to skip Mat Latos’ next two turns

In their ideal world, the Dodgers’ deadline deals to add Alex Wood and Mat Latos would have set the rotation for the rest of the season. It would be five strong and take on all-comers.

But that’s not the world the Dodgers found themselves, and Tuesday in Oakland they set to tweaking it by announcing they would skip Latos for his next two turns and move him temporarily to the bullpen.

The Dodgers were not only off Monday, but are also off Thursday and next Monday, giving them plenty of flexibility with their rotation. Zack Greinke, Clayton Kershaw, Brett Anderson and Wood will take their turns on the normal five days’ rest between starts.

Wood will start on Wednesday at Oakland. The move also sets up Kershaw and Greinke to start against the San Francisco Giants in a three-game series that starts Aug. 31 at Dodger Stadium.

Latos is 0-2 with a 6.75 earned-run average and a 1.43 WHIP in three starts with the Dodgers. He complained after his last outing Thursday against the Cincinnati Reds (five runs, four earned on seven hits in 4 2/3 innings) that he had gotten away from his fastball and was relying too much on his off-speed stuff.

Coming out of the bullpen should give him an opportunity to focus on his fastball. And maybe build his confidence back up.