Steven Matz cleared his final hurdle and threw a successful bullpen on Wednesday. The left-hander proclaimed himself ready to go and will rejoin the rotation on Friday for his start against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Earlier in the week, the team announced that Matz had no structural damage in his elbow. Initially the plan was to have him pitch today against the Washington Nationals. But the team decided to keep him on his regular turn while getting an extra day of rest.
Matz will get his chance to pitch against the Nationals next Wednesday in D.C.
May 16
According to Marc Carig of Newsday, left-hander Steven Matz was examined by doctors in New York today and the good news is that he does not have any ligament damage.
The Mets are expected to brief reporters about his condition and whether he will pitch against the Nationals sometime tomorrow.
Matz has been dealing with left elbow and forearm tightness since his last start. He did some light long tossing this weekend in Colorado and said he felt fine.
Odds are he’ll likely pitch on Thursday, bumping either Bartolo Colon or Matt Harvey from their scheduled start. We’ll learn more on Tuesday.
May 15
New York Mets left-hander Steven Matz could return to the rotation this week and even find himself getting a start in the upcoming three-game series against the Washington Nationals.
Matz, who skipped his turn on Saturday because of soreness in his left elbow and forearm, is scheduled to meet with team doctors on Monday who will reexamine him. The Mets will make a determination based on how that exam goes.
A report by Marc Carig of Newsday said Collins left open the possibility of slotting Matz back into the rotation for that critical series with the Nats at Citi Field. “We could bring him back if he’s OK to go,” said manager Terry Collins on Friday.
The probables for now have Noah Syndergaard, Bartolo Colon and Matt Harvey slated to start those three games, But Matz could bump Colon if he’s cleared by doctors and completes a bullpen session on Monday or Tuesday.
The Mets are currently in third place and locked in a three-way battle with the Nationals and Phillies for the NL East lead heading into Sunday’s action.
Original Report – May 13
As was reported on Monday, the New York Mets will skip Steven Matz start on Saturday due to elbow and forearm soreness.
Assistant GM John Ricco called the decision a precaution. Logan Verrett will make the start against the Rockies in Colorado while Matz heals up.
Matt Ehalt of the Bergen Report reported that Matz long tossed and played catch on Thursday. Even if it was just long toss, the fact that he was able to throw so soon after experiencing soreness was an encouraging sign.
Matz will have an MRI and meet with team doctors once the team returns from their current West Coast trip on Monday. There’s still the possibility of a DL stint, depending on the results from that exam, but Matz downplayed that on Wednesday.
The young southpaw allowed two runs on five hits while walking one and striking out five in six innings in his last start and is 5-1 with a 2.86 ERA and 1.18 WHIP this season.
