New York Mets: Steven Matz May Start Season on DL

The New York Mets might be without starting pitcher Steven Matz to start the season.

The New York Mets have arguably the best pitching staff in the majors, but they might have to start the season without Steven Matz because of a sore elbow. It’s not the same elbow that he had Tommy John surgery on in 2010, but elbow injuries still aren’t something any club wants to learn about before the season.

Matz has had a tough time staying on the field through his first couple of seasons. He went to the DL in 2015 because of a torn lat muscle before missing his final starts of the season because of a neck injury. Then last season, Matz dealt with a bone spur on his left elbow, which required off-season surgery, before the Mets shut him down because of a left-shoulder strain.

Matz is one of the best young pitchers in the National League when healthy. As the fourth starter in the Mets’ rotation, Matz has posted a 13-8 record with a 3.40 ERA and 1.21 WHIP over 28 starts and 168 innings pitched. He has also struck out 163 batters compared to issuing just 41 walks.

Matz has been underwhelming this spring, though. In four starts, he is 1-1 with a 4.26 ERA and 1.58 WHIP over 12.1 innings, while striking out seven. During his last start against Miami, Matz pitched four innings and allowed five earned runs on eight hits and a walk. He also only struck out one batter.

Robert Gsellman, who made seven starts in 2016, will become the No. 4 pitcher in New York’s rotation with either Seth Lugo or Zack Wheeler replacing Matz.

Due to his own injury issues, Wheeler has not pitched in the majors since 2014. He did have a good amount of success, though, going 18-16 with a 3.50 ERA and 1.34 WHIP over 49 starts. He also pitched 185.1 innings in 2014.

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That said, Wheeler has had a rough spring. He has made three appearances, two starts, but has a brutal 8.59 ERA and 1.91 WHIP over 7.1 innings.

Still, his success in the majors is intriguing if he’s fully recovered from Tommy John surgery, even if he’s expected to have an innings limit in 2017. The Mets’ original plan was to have him pitch in extended Spring Training before adding him to the staff.

Lugo had an impressive stint with the Mets last season. In 17 appearances, eight starts, Lugo had a 2.67 ERA and 1.09 WHIP over 64 innings. He has followed it up with a 3.86 ERA in three appearances, two starts, this spring.

Plus, he doesn’t have a concerning injury history like Wheeler, who the Mets don’t want to rush back. Lugo seems like the more likely option for the Mets when considering health and recent performance.

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New York still has a strong starting rotation without Matz, so their main concern is having him ready for a playoff run. The Mets start the season at home on April 3 against the Atlanta Braves.