As per Matt Ehalt of Yahoo Sports, New York Mets left-hander Steven Matz “received a cortisone injection” on Monday to combat nerve irritation in his left forearm.
Matz, 27, has a 3.86 earned-run average over seven starts for the Mets this season (35 innings) with 32 strikeouts, nine walks, and 1.20 WHIP, including a 2.89 ERA over his last three starts.
Ehalt noted “[Matz] could still land on the [injured list]”, but the team is hesitant “because they want him back as soon as possible if he’s ready”.
Mets skipper Mickey Callaway also confirmed, as per Ehalt, that the team’s newest addition, right-hander Wilmer Font — who the Mets acquired from Tampa Bay in exchange for a player to be named later earlier on Monday — “could start [on] Wednesday” in Matz’ place.
Font, 28, has a 5.79 earned-run average over 14 innings in relief this season but also owns a 3.50 fielding independent pitching rating with 11.74 strikeouts per nine innings.
The Venezuelan native’s final five appearances of 2018 were all starting appearances, and Font performed very well, pitching to a 1.71 ERA with 18 strikeouts, eight walks, and a .162/.244/.270 slash line against.
Tim Healey of Newsday listed right-hander Corey Oswalt — recalled on Monday — as a potential option to start on Wednesday, as well.
Oswalt, 25, has a 3.06 ERA over three starts with Triple-A Syracuse this season.
We’ll keep you posted as more information becomes available.
