New York Mets left-handed pitcher Steven Matz will be moving from the rotation to the bullpen according to Mickey Callaway.
On Tuesday, New York Mets manager Mickey Callaway made a surprising roster move. Steven Matz will move from the starting rotation to the bullpen at least for the time being.
Matz is staring at a record of 5-6 with an ERA of 4.95 through 16 starts in 2019. However, he’s struggled as of late, as he posted a 7.36 ERA through six starts in the month of June.
The Mets are moving Steven Matz to the bullpen this week. Matz posted a 7.36 ERA in six June starts.
"I don't think this is a knock on him," manager Mickey Callaway said, though he would not commit to definitely reinserting Matz into the rotation after the All-Star break.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) July 2, 2019
This could only be temporary though. The Mets may have Matz return to the starting rotation when they return from the All-Star Break on July 12.
Matz could definitely add some firepower to a bullpen that desperately needs it. New York’s bullpen is ranked 28th in the major leagues with an ERA of 5.52.
The Mets aren’t in the greatest of positions at the moment. They’re currently eight games below .500 with a record of 39-47. New York is also 11 games behind the NL East division-leading Atlanta Braves. The season could be slipping away and force the Mets to become sellers at the trade deadline.
However, the Mets have won the last two straight games and will be going for the two-game sweep over the New York Yankees on Wednesday night. They’ll then host the Philadelphia Phillies for a three-game series at Citi Field before the All-Star Break.
It’ll take a tad bit of a miracle for the Mets, but if they get on track now and continue to win after the All-Star Break, who knows how things will pan out.