New York Mets Lefty Steven Matz Will Undergo Elbow Surgery
New York Mets left-handed pitcher Steven Matz has yet to complete a full season in the MLB. This year will be no different, as he will have season-ending surgery on his left elbow.
Unfortunately for Steven Matz, injury problems have haunted him throughout his career. For the second straight season, he will undergo season-ending surgery on his pitching elbow.
On Monday, it came out that Matz has a nerve issue in his left elbow, similar to what Jacob deGrom had last season. Marc Carig of Newsday reported that Matz has been experiencing pain all season, but pitched through it.
Sources: Steven Matz has pitched through pain all season. Been diagnosed with similar nerve issue as deGrom last year. May need surgery.
— Marc Carig (@MarcCarig) August 21, 2017
Later in the day, the New York Mets official Twitter account confirmed the report and stated that Steven Matz had been diagnosed with irritation of the ulnar nerve in his left elbow. The Mets also said that surgery will be scheduled sometime within the next few days.
Matz was diagnosed w/ irritation of the ulnar nerve in his left elbow. Surgery is recommended & will be scheduled in the next few days.
— New York Mets (@Mets) August 22, 2017
Although it is unfortunate that Matz will now be out for the remainder of the season, it is important that he has the ulnar nerve issue in his elbow corrected. When deGrom had the same injury last year, he underwent successful surgery and then came back stronger than ever this season.
Jacob deGrom underwent the same surgery last September, returned for Spring Training. Seems likely Steven Matz will do the same. #Mets
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) August 22, 2017
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Now that it is known that Matz has been pitching through a nerve issue in his elbow all season, his recent bad performances make sense. He did not make his season debut until June 10 because of a flexor tendon strain in his left elbow. After pitching well in June, Matz has had a disastrous past two months.
In five starts during the month of July, Matz was 0-3 with an ERA of 9.30. He did not fare too much better in August, as he went 0-3 with a 7.45 ERA in four starts. Overall, Matz’s 2017 season was undoubtedly the worst one of his career. In 13 starts, he went 2-7 with an ERA of 6.08.
Last year, Matz’s season was cut short when he had to have season-ending surgery to remove a bone spur in his left elbow. Shortly after making his Major League debut in July of 2015, he landed on the disabled list due to a torn lat muscle. He ended up missing two months because of that injury.
Next: Mets Continue Revamp Year With Separate Roster Moves
With all of the injury problems that he has had throughout his career, it is unclear whether or not the New York Mets can count on Steven Matz for the 2018 season. When he has been healthy, he has pitched well. Matz’s health, however, will continue to be a major concern until he proves he can stay on the field.