SAN DIEGO — The Mets appear to have avoided a significant hit to their starting rotation.
Steven Matz will miss his scheduled start Wednesday against the Padres, after an examination in New York determined the left-hander has a radial nerve irritation in his forearm, but team officials are cautiously optimistic Matz won’t need an extended absence.
To that end, the Mets haven’t placed Matz on the injured list, hopeful he might be in position to pitch this weekend if his throwing schedule allows it. Matz received a cortisone and lidocaine injection on Monday, according to manager Mickey Callaway.
“[Matz] is one of our best pitchers and if he can pitch before he would be eligible to come off the IL we want him to do that,” Callaway said before the Mets lost 4-0 to the Padres. “We want to give him every opportunity.”
If it’s determined Matz needs an IL stint, the Mets could backdate the stint to Saturday.
Matz had experienced discomfort in recent weeks and was sent for an exam after the discomfort precluded him from throwing a side session in Milwaukee last weekend.
Corey Oswalt was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse and is among the candidates to pitch in Matz’s place on Wednesday. But Callaway said he could also turn to Seth Lugo, Robert Gsellman or Drew Gagnon to start in a bullpen game.
Jason Vargas was placed on the IL with a left hamstring strain he sustained in Sunday’s start against the Brewers. The left-hander was removed after only four innings after experiencing discomfort on a strikeout pitch.
“He came in today a lot better than we would have expected,” Callaway said, who declined to speculate on how many starts Vargas might miss.
In need of another arm, the Mets acquired right-handed pitcher Wilmer Font from the Rays for a player to be named later or cash considerations. The 28-year-old Font had a 5.79 ERA in 10 relief appearances for the Rays this season, but he also can be used as a starter. Font, who pitched for three teams last season, has made five big league starts.
To clear space on the 40-man roster for Font, the Mets placed Yoenis Cespedes on the 60-day disabled list. The Mets will make a move on the 25-man roster when Font joins the team Tuesday. Font is also among the candidates to start Wednesday, according to Callaway.
“The stuff is premium,” Callaway said. “Another guy we’re going to look at it in multiple roles and I think he is going to help our depth and organization.”
Justin Wilson was activated from the IL and Tim Peterson optioned to Syracuse. Wilson, who had been bothered by elbow soreness, last pitched on April 20.
