Steven Matz To Undergo Elbow Surgery
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Mets pitcher Steven Matz needs another elbow operation, almost certainly ending a miserable 2017 season for the left-hander.
The team says Matz was diagnosed Monday with irritation of the ulnar nerve in his left elbow. Surgery was recommended to reposition the nerve and relieve the irritation, a similar procedure to the one teammate Jacob deGrom had last year.
Matz's operation will be scheduled in the next few days. The oft-injured lefty is 2-7 with a 6.08 ERA in 13 starts covering only 66 2/3 innings. He has been hit hard lately, going 0-6 with a 10.19 ERA in his last eight starts. Matz pitched through pain all season, Newsday reported.
Matz had an MRI and CT scan Monday at the Hospital for Special Surgery. He was given an injection for diagnostic purposes, the Mets said.
The 26-year-old Matz had Tommy John surgery early in his pro career. His 2016 season was cut short by another elbow operation to remove bone spurs, and he began this year on the disabled list because of tenderness in the elbow. He made his season debut June 10.
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Left-hander Tommy Milone (1-2, 7.91 ERA) will likely start in Matz's place Tuesday against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
It's the latest blow to the Mets, who have been devastated by injuries the past two seasons. Matz would join a disabled list that also includes pitchers Noah Syndergaard, Matt Harvey, Zack Wheeler, Seth Lugo and Jeurys Familia and infielders Jose Reyes, David Wright and T.J. Rivera.
(© Copyright 2017 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
