Both Mike Puma and Adam Rubin had team sources tell them there’s no chance of Steven Matz going to the bullpen.
Rubin writes:
“No matter how severe Josh Edgin’s elbow injury turns out, there is “no chance” Steven Matz winds up in the bullpen to open the season.”
Original Post 9:00 AM
Back in November, general manager Sandy Alderson told MMO that there’s a possibility pitching prospect Steve Matz can make his debut in 2015 as a left-handed reliever in the Mets bullpen.
Given the now precarious situation with Josh Edgin and lefthanded relievers overall, could Anderson consider having Matz making the opening day roster if Edgin were to start season on the disabled list? It’s certainly a possibility.
Alderson is very high on Matz, telling MMO, “I would say Steven is probably one of the top handful of left-handed pitching prospects in the game right now.”
“He’s got an excellent fastball for a lefty, at 93, 94 mph. It can get a little bit higher than that. His breaking ball has gotten much better. And he threw some excellent changeups that night in Binghamton in that championship game.”
As for making his way to the majors as a reliever, Alderson told us , “It might be a way for him to break in.”
So yes, there’s a strong possibility that Matz could be a viable solution as a lefty in the bullpen if all other options are exhausted. Although I’m sure Sandy wasn’t expecting it to happen so soon.
Hey, it’s not far fetched to say that Steven Matz is the best lefthander in camp with apologies to Jon Niese.
