The New York Mets continue their struggle to keep their young starting pitchers healthy this season. Add another one to the list as 25-year old starting lefty Steven Matz has been put on the disabled list with tightness in his left shoulder.
He will not start on Thursday, August 25, against the St. Louis Cardinals. He’s only expected to miss one start and is eligible to come back on Wednesday, Aug. 30 against the Miami Marlins (65-60) at Citi Field in Flushing, Queens. The Marlins are currently 2.5 games ahead of the Mets in the National League East. The Mets are sitting at an even 62-62 on the year which is third in the NL East and trail the first-place Washington Nationals (73-52) by 10.5 games.
The Mets organization got quite a scare from Matz after he complained about shoulder discomfort over the weekend. It was just shoulder tightness according to Monday’s examination and Mets General Manager Terry Collins was relieved with the result.
“I take it as good news,” Collins said. “Certainly, any time you’ve got a pitcher who’s got, especially a shoulder issue, you’re on pins and needles not knowing how bad it’s going to be. Hopefully a few days off and a little bit of rest, and we’ll get him ready for next week.”
In absence for Matz will be the 26-year old right-hander Seth Lugo. He’ll get the start on Thursday against St. Louis (66-57). He played in 10 games this season and has a 0-2 record with a 3.04 ERA.
This is not Matz first injury this season. He’s had a bone spur in his left elbow which caused him to miss a couple of pitching appearances. His bone spur will be surgically removed after the season.
Matz has is 0-1 and has 23 strikeouts in his last three starts. He is 9-8 on the season in 22 starts with a 3.40 ERA. He struggled in last seven starts with a 2-4 record with a 3.53 ERA.
