Extra, Extra!
The Mets travel to San Diego to take on the Padres in what will be a three game series. It’s bizarre scheduling because the Mets will not visit any other west coast teams after the series. They return home to face the Marlins Friday.
First things first, Steven Matz.
After yesterday’s series finale in Milwaukee, Mickey Callaway said that Steven Matz failed to throw his most recent bullpen. Apparently he has been battling a nerve issue for about two weeks.
Tests on Steven Matz in New York today confirmed it is indeed a nerve issue that’s been bothering him a couple starts,and not anything structurally wrong with his elbow. He is likely to miss a start or two while he receives treatment.
- Why was he pinch hitting after not being able to throw his bullpen?
- Why didn’t the Mets pursue Gio Gonzalez when they knew Matz was dealing with this issue?
The announcement about Steven Matz yesterday came about an hour or so after Jason Vargas left the game early with a sore hamstring.
The word is Vargas is likely headed to the Injured List, but the team doesn’t consider the injury very serious. The Mets won’t need a fifth starter until May 18th, but with Vargas and Matz down we’re likely in Flexen/Oswalt territory.
Or maybe we’ll be in Wilmer Font territory.
Font was acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays for cash or a player to be named later. He has no options so he’ll report right to the big club. A corresponding roster move will be made tomorrow.
Font is intriguing because of his ability to start. His major league numbers aren’t great, but neither are the numbers for literally anybody else on the Syracuse to Queens carousel.
It’s hard to get excited about a career swingman with an ERA of 6.51, but his peripherals are pretty interesting.
Only Tyler Glasnow managed a higher strikeout rate than Font did in Triple A in 2017. He had an impressive walk rate as well, but has faltered each time he has been called up to the bigs. His fastball sits in the mid 90s and he has impressive secondary pitches.
It gives you pause when a team like the Rays are willing to give up a player for nothing, but maybe Brodie sees something they don’t.
He will be a factor in games for us very soon so cross your fingers.
The Mets did get a bit of good news as Justin Wilson is set to be activated off the Injured List. Tim Peterson has been sent back down to Triple A Syracuse. Corey Oswalt is back with the Mets, and he is certainly an option to start Wednesday’s game. Callaway said that he will announce Wednesday’s starter tomorrow.