The lefty is set to throw a bullpen session on Wednesday, with the possibility of a Friday start dependent on things going well. He planned to leave for NY later in the day, with expectations of throwing a bullpen at Citi Field on Wednesday. If all goes well, he’s expected to start on Friday. “I might want (pitching coach) Dan (Warthen) to see him throw, so maybe here”, Collins said.
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Matz hasn’t pitched since August 14 due to an impingement in his left shoulder.
“I don’t think so, no”, said Matz, excited to return to a Mets squad that has a one-game lead for the first wild-card spot. “We’ll see where he’s at when it comes with his side on Wednesday and see what develops from that”.
Without several of their top arms the Mets have been forced to rely on the likes of Seth Lugo, Robert Gsellman and Gabriel Ynoa to make key starts for them down-the-stretch. And while Matz acknowledged that being away from the team at this time of year was particularly tough and tested his patience, he insisted he’s ready and the shoulder feels fine.
If the Mets were to advance to the National League Division Series, Collins said Matz would probably be limited to 85 pitches if he were available to start. “My main focus is on that”.
New York Mets starting pitcher Steven Matz, who is on the disabled list, watches a baseball game between the New York Mets and the Philadelphia Phillies from the dugout, Saturday, Aug. 27, 2016, in New York.
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The Mets have lost pitchers Matt Harvey and Jacob deGrom to season-ending injuries.
