Mets News: Steven Matz Start To Be Skipped

By Kenneth Teape | May 12, 2016

May 9, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Steven Matz (32) delivers a pitch against the Los Angeles Dodgers during a MLB game at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

New York Mets News: Starting pitcher Steven Matz will have his next start skipped as he deals with some forearm soreness.

The most recent New York Mets news is nothing fans want to hear, as Steven Matz will have his next start skipped. He was scheduled to start against the Colorado Rockies this weekend at Coors Field, but will be skipped because of forearm soreness.

Mets’ manager Terry Collins was the first to report the news, announcing it before the Mets took the field against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday night. This comes on the heels of a strong start against the Dodgers Monday night from Matz, when he picked up the victory tossing six innings and allowing two runs with five strikeouts.

But Matz said that the forearm may have been bothering him at times during that start, just that the adrenaline dulled the pain. But once he exited the game and adrenaline wore off, he began to feel it more.

“It was pretty sore,” Matz said. “I was still able to throw, but it was enough concern for me to say something to the trainers and just kind of tell them what was going on. Before I see the doctors, they just want to play it safe.”

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Matz will not be examined until the team returns to New York at the beginning of next week, as assistant general manager John Ricco said Matz will remain with the Mets through the remainder of their road trip.

The Mets are going to be extra cautious with Matz this time around, as he missed two months last season with a lat issue. The issue was reported after his first start, but he was allowed to make his next one which possibly worsened the condition. They do not want a repeat of that, and will take all the necessary precautions this time. Matz has battled a number of injuries throughout his professional career so the Mets will take whatever measures they need to get him healthy.

In his place, the Mets are expected to have Logan Verrett make a spot start. It would be the third spot start that he makes this season, as he pitched two six-inning shutouts in place of Jacob deGrom earlier in the season. He also has experience at Coors Field, throwing eight innings there last season allowing only one run in a spot start for Matt Harvey.

He should be the choice as long as he is not needed in relief before then. The Mets are expected to make a roster move to add another pitcher to their bullpen as well, as Sean Gilmartin is rumored to be the choice. If he is called up, a position player, probably Eric Campbell, will be sent down.

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Matz has been on fire since a rough first start of the season against the Miami Marlins when he allowed seven runs in 1 2/3 innings pitched. He has not allowed more than two runs in any of his next five starts, going 5-0 with a 1.09 ERA.

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