New York Mets: Steven Matz To Undergo Season-Ending Surgery
MIAMI, FL - JUNE 28: Steven Matz #32 of the New York Mets throws a pitch during the first inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park on June 28, 2017 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)

Steven Matz’s 2017 season will end the same way it began—on the disabled list.

News broke Monday afternoon that New York Mets starter Steven Matz was likely headed to the disabled list. Only a few hours later, the team announced that the 26-year-old southpaw will undergo elbow surgery.

The issue is similar to the one that ended Jacob deGrom’s 2016 season prematurely. Team sources told Newsday‘s Marc Carig that Matz had been pitching all season in pain and, that after some starts, his elbow “swelled to the size of a grapefruit.”

While not good news by any means, this at least offers an explanation for why Matz has struggled as badly as he has. Over 13 starts, he’s gone 2-7 with a 6.08 ERA and 1.53 WHIP.

Normally, it’d be wise to look at how deGrom bounced back this season as reassurance that Matz will ultimately be able to regain his previous form. And maybe he will.

But Matz has struggled to stay healthy throughout his career. Selected by the Mets in the second round of the 2009 MLB Draft, he didn’t make his professional debut until 2012 due to injuries. So it’s hard to remain optimistic about his long-term outlook.

All of us at ESNY wish him a successful surgery and a speedy recovery.

I've been dunked on by Shaq and yelled at by Mickey Mantle. ESNY Editor In Chief. UMass alum. Former National Columnist w/Bleacher Report & former member of NY Knicks Basketball Ops department. Nephew of Rock & Roll Royalty.