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Mets left-hander Steven Matz to miss next start due to ‘elbow irration’

By JT. Teran

Mar 22, 2017; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Steven Matz (32) delivers a pitch against the Miami Marlins during a spring training game at First Data Field. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 22, 2017; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Steven Matz (32) delivers a pitch against the Miami Marlins during a spring training game at First Data Field. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /
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With a little over a week before Opening Day, Steven Matz‘s left elbow is again a concern for the Amazin’s.

Mets general manager Sandy Alderson spoke to the media on Sunday morning about their left-hander Steven Matz. According to Alderson, Matz will miss next scheduled Spring Training start due to issues with his pitching elbow.

While the severity of the injury is still somewhat unknown, the Mets are calling it “elbow irritation,” and don’t seem to be too worried about it, thankfully.

According to the New York Times’ James Wagner, the Mets haven’t scheduled an MRI of any sorts for Matz, so they’re still holding out hope it’s something relatively minor.

Even if Matz just ends up missing one start, that dirty “i” word is popping up yet again when talking about the Long Island Lefty. This season is a big one for Matz. He’s trying to show the Mets, the fans, and himself that he’s able to pitch a full season without having big time injuries.

In 2015, his first year with the big league club, Matz suffered a lat injury that sidelined him for a few weeks. In 2016, his season was cut short after developing bone spurs in his left elbow. Surgery would eventually remove them, but now some soreness in that same elbow is causing discomfort again.

Matz has struggled this Spring Training so far. His 4.26 ERA over just 12 innings hasn’t been great, but it’s his command that has been more suspect. He’s only struck out seven, while walking four in that span. Maybe taking care of this elbow issue now will help him get back on track in time to get rolling for the season.

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Should Matz miss a considerable amount of time, the Mets have some pretty great depth at pitching with Robert Gsellman, Seth Lugo, Zack Wheeler, and dare I even say it, Rafael Montero, all healthy and ready to step up.

Hopefully it doesn’t come to that, but Sandy Alderson and co. have built this team up to take a few hits before we need to hit the panic button.

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