Steven Matz’s forearm discomfort doesn’t appear serious, but the Mets are expected to place the left-hander on the disabled list just to play it safe.
That is, unless they for some reason deem it important to let Matz pitch Sunday in a virtually meaningless game for the Mets.
On Thursday an MRI exam performed on Matz showed no structural damage to his elbow/forearm, and he was diagnosed with a mild flexor pronator strain, according to assistant general manager John Ricco. But the Mets planned to wait until Friday before deciding if Matz would be placed on the DL.
“The doctor just said when he is asymptomatic he can resume throwing,” Ricco said before the Mets faced the Braves at Citi Field. “He is feeling a lot better today, so we will see how he feels [Friday], but there is a good chance we will take a conservative approach here.”
Matz had been battling “dead arm” in recent starts, but informed manager Mickey Callaway after an abbreviated appearance Tuesday against the Nationals about the discomfort in his forearm.
In that start, Matz lasted only two-thirds of an inning and surrendered seven runs.
Matz has pitched 107 ²/₃ innings this season — his career high is 132 ¹/₃ in 2016 — and Callaway said a DL stint might be prudent from a workload standpoint.
“Obviously he hasn’t hauled a ton of innings before this year,” Callaway said. “So we have to keep that in consideration whether or not it’s better to give him a little bit of a break. We’ll definitely see how he comes in and then try to make the best decision for him moving forward.”
Callaway was asked if there would be an upside to letting Matz pitch against the Braves on Sunday.
“There might not be one,” Callaway said. “That’s one of the reasons we have to make sure we do the right thing here.”
Matz was among the players for which the Mets set a high asking price headed toward the July 31 non-waiver deadline with the idea the organization will build around starting pitching in an attempt to contend for the postseason in 2019. Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard and Zack Wheeler also carried steep asking prices. All four starting pitchers remained, but the Mets may again consider trades in the offseason, after a new general manager is hired.
Ricco addressed several other team-related injury issues:
- Jay Bruce has begun running and taking batting practice in his return from a sore right hip. Ricco said he has spoken with Callaway about the possibility of Bruce seeing some action at first base upon returning.
- The season is running out on David Wright in his attempt to play for the Mets in 2018, Ricco acknowledged. The team captain is “making progress” in his workouts in Port St. Lucie, but there is no timetable in place for a potential minor-league rehab assignment that would precede a Wright comeback. The minor league seasons conclude in roughly a month. Wright has undergone three surgeries since last playing for the Mets in May 2016.
- Yoenis Cespedes underwent surgery Thursday to remove calcifications from his right heel. He will undergo a similar procedure after the season on his left heel and is expected to remain sidelined from baseball activities 8-10 months in total. Ricco said the two surgeries were staggered because if performed at the same time Cespedes would be unable to walk for two or three months.
