New York Mets starting pitcher Steven Matz will be examined due to a nerve issue he’s dealing with in his left forearm.
The hits just keep coming.
With Sunday’s 3-2 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers, the New York Mets have now dropped four of their last five and eight of their last eleven games.
The most concerning story, however, involves a player that did not even play in Sunday’s game.
LHP Steven Matz left the club’s six-game road trip and flew back to New York to get the nerve issue in his left forearm examined.
Per manager Mickey Callaway, Matz has been dealing with the issue for two weeks. The irritation progressed to the point where the 27-year-old was forced to skip his most recent bullpen session in between starts.
“He’s been able to pitch fine and swing the bat fine,” Callaway told a group of reporters. “At this point, when it was bothering him today (Sunday), we figured we better go get it checked out.”
Matz’s numbers back up Callaway’s claim. Through seven starts, the Stony Brook native is 3-2 with a 3.86 ERA and 32 strikeouts. Most impressively, Matz’s 3.56 K/BB ratio is almost a full strikeout higher than 2018’s mark (2.62).
Matz is scheduled to start on Wednesday at Petco Park vs. the San Diego Padres, but that is now in limbo.
Right-handers Chris Flexen and Seth Lugo are the most likely candidates to make a spot start if need be.
Jason Vargas leaves series finale with injury
More injury pitching news for our Mets.
LHP Jason Vargas was forced to leave Sunday’s loss after the fourth inning with a tight hamstring. The 36-year-old allowed three earned runs on three hits in his brief outing.
At this time, it is unknown if he will require a trip to the IL. Callaway said he will be re-evaluated on Monday and the club will go from there.
“When my foot hit the ground, my hamstring grabbed me different than you normally feel it,” Vargas said.
The bright spot of the afternoon was the fact that he struck out five while issuing zero walks. Callaway and pitching coach Dave Eiland had planned for Vargas to throw about 105 pitches.
