Rookie left-hander Steven Matz is progressing from a lat strain and should begin throwing off a mound next week, New York Mets manager Terry Collins told reporters on Friday.
Matz long tossed on Thursday under the watchful eye of Collins who was visiting the team’s complex in Port St. Lucie to check up on all of the injured players.
Collins said Matz was throwing “free and easy” and that his long tosses were zipped and not arcing. The Mets are eyeing an early September for Matz, Who has been on the disabled list since July 5.
Once Matz rejoins the team, the Mets are expected to return to a six-man rotation.
Meanwhile the news is not as glowing for right-hander Rafael Montero, who tossed two scoreless innings in a Gulf Coast League game on Thursday, but is not close to being ready.
“I don’t even know when he’s going to get out of there,” manager Terry Collins said, referring to the GCL. “I saw him throw yesterday and there are some things he’s got to work on.”
Montero has been out since late April with rotator cuff inflammation that has kept him out far longer than doctors expected.
“He said his arm hurts,” Collins told ESPN New York. “I don’t know if it’s mental. If your arm hurts, it hurts. But after watching yesterday, he’s not ready yet.”
