New York Mets starting pitcher Steven Matz will miss his next start due to elbow tenderness.
Last season, the Mets had terrible injury luck. Despite all of their woes, they still managed to make the postseason. They played in the National League Wild Card play-in game, but lost to the San Francisco Giants. It appears their bad luck is carrying over to 2017, as starting pitcher Steven Matz will miss his next scheduled start due to elbow tenderness in his left elbow.
"“There’s a little irritation, and he’s got to work that out,” Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said, via ESPN. “We don’t think it’s anything significant, but it bothers him on extension. He won’t pitch tomorrow, and we’ll see where that takes him over the next four or five days.”"
This is a tad bit concerning because Matz hasn’t been able to stay healthy. He was solid in 2016, putting up a 3.40 ERA in 22 starts, but bone spurs forced him to be shut down in September. Those bone spurs happened to be in his left elbow, so the Mets should be concerned.
Any time “elbow tenderness” is used, fans tend to panic. And for good reason, as Tommy John surgeries are becoming more common. At this point in time, Matz appears to be safe from that dreaded operation. The name “Dr. James Andrews” hasn’t come up yet, which is a good sign. However, if Matz has to visit him, the Mets should be very scared.
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New York is looking to return to the postseason. They will likely do it because of the strength of their rotation. Matz proved in 2016 he can be a reliable pitcher when healthy. The Mets will need him to be healthy, especially after losing fan favorite Bartolo Colon.