According to multiple sources including David Lennon of Newsday, Steven Matz got back to throwing today. He first warmed up by throwing long toss at 150 feet before bringing it in to about 70 feet. From there he threw about three simulated innings of about 10-15 pitches each. Mets beat writers report that he was throwing hard and seemed strong.
Last Report – Mar 26
Some new and interesting developments on the Steven Matz front. After Sunday’s 8-2 victory, Terry Collins told reporters that the Mets are “extremely disappointed” with the Matz injury. He then took that one step further and said, “It’s going to be tough for Matz to be in the opening day rotation.”
“We had a backup plan, and we’re going to turn to that back-up plan right now. …It’s going to be tough for him [Matz making the rotation] if he’s not going to pitch this week.”
Doubling down, Collins then said he was travelling to Jupiter on Monday to watch Zack Wheeler pitch rather than remaining in Port St. Lucie where the Mets will host the Washington Nationals at First Data Field. Collins wants to see first hand if Zack Wheeler is ready to join the rotation.
Additionally, Sandy Alderson all but confirmed that Robert Gsellman has won a spot in the rotation, and said that Seth Lugo and Zack Wheeler will be fallback options if Matz was not ready to begin the season. He too expressed frustration with the Matz situation labeling it as “worrisome.”
Collins pretty much endorsed Gsellman before ending his press conference, saying: Terry: “We certainly have to consider Robert Gsellman as a guy who has to pitch because I think that’s where he belongs in the rotation.”
Stay tuned…
Original Report
Mets GM Sandy Alderson spoke to reporters this morning and announced that left-hander Steven Matz has been scratched from his start tomorrow with what the team is calling “elbow tenderness.”
Alderson said that Matz’s elbow was structurally fine and that his UCL is okay, but that he has not yet had an MRI. He believes the issue is minor and just some irritation.
“It’s worrisome that he continues to be injured off and on,” Alderson said. “That’s the difficulty. We don’t think it’s serious. On the other hand, starting pitchers are relied on every five days. I’m not sure exactly where this is going to take us.”
“He’s not pitching tomorrow,” Alderson concluded. “That’s really the purpose of this conversation rather than writing an epitaph.”
The plan for now is to lay off Matz for a few days and to see how he responds with extra rest.
Matz, 25, got hit hard in his last start, allowing five runs on eight hits while striking out one in 4.0 innings pitched.
“You try not to let this stuff bother you, but it’s never fun when you’re getting hit around,” said Matz after his last start. “Fastball command, that’s what spring training is really about. So I’m going to keep hammering away at that. I’m glad I have one more start.”
Matz said he’s not worried and plans to toss a bullpen tomorrow.
On the plus side, the Mets are blessed with some excellent depth in the rotation with Robert Gsellman, Seth Lugo and Zack Wheeler. Plus Rafael Montero has looked sharp this spring and could also work his way back to being a good fallback option.
