The Mets made another expected roster cut on Saturday afternoon, optioning LHP Steven Matz and sending him to minor league camp.
Matz started against Detroit in place of Noah Syndergaard on Saturday, who was optioned to the minor leagues on Friday. He allowed only a run on three hits with a walk and a strikeout in 2 2/3 innings.
“I think he’s on the right road and I would not be surprised if sometime this year we see Steven Matz,” Dan Warthen said, according to the Bergen Record’s Matt Ehalt.
Matz needs about a half a year’s worth of innings at Las Vegas before he will likely be ready. That puts him on track for a mid- to-late July call-up if there’s a need and his performance warrants a promotion. Remember, he has yet to pitch above Double-A, and the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast a League should present a nice challenge for him in his final hurdle to the big leagues.
He showed this spring precisely what the club has been raving about in his power arm from the left side. He showed command of his upper 90s fastball and outstanding off-speed as well despite some inconsistent results. The point is he’s really close, and if he stays on track, he will be in the big league rotation sooner rather than later.
There are now 40 players left in big league camp for the Mets.
Just Mets 