Klapisch: What exactly is wrong with Steven Matz?
Ever since Steven Matz revealed he’s suffering from a strained flexor tendon, Mets officials have been privately asking who made the diagnosis. “Our [doctors] found nothing wrong,” said one person with knowledge of Matz's care. The team is both frustrated and flummoxed, in the dark as to what’s actually wrong with Matz and when he’ll be able to pitch again.
It’s a sensitive subject among Mets executives, who say they like Matz personally and are convinced he’s talented enough to someday rank among the National League’s elite. They’re also impressed with the left-hander's work ethic.
But there’s growing unease with the trajectory of Matz's career, which has been hindered by injuries and chronic discomfort. The Mets had hoped surgery to remove bone chips from Matz’s elbow last winter would’ve given him a fresh start in 2017, but he told trainers he was sore again before a March 22 start against the Marlins, when he allowed five runs over four innings.
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Doctors found nothing alarming in a preliminary examination; they assured Matz, who’d undergone Tommy John surgery in 2010, there was no possibility he’d re-torn the ligament. A subsequent MRI seconded that opinion: Matz’s elbow is structurally sound.
So what’s going on? Both the Mets and the medical staff are hoping Matz will heal with time off, although he took the club by surprise by revealing a flexor tendon issue.
Neither David Altchek nor Struan Coleman, the club’s two orthopedists, came to the same conclusion. The Mets believe Matz was examined by another doctor, which is his right, and it was that vague third-party explanation the pitcher made public on Monday.
“From my understanding, it’s like a flexor strain, I strained my flexor,” Matz told Newsday's Marc Carig. “That’s kind of what the feeling is, that the flexor tendon is kind of flaring up.”
No one is suggesting Matz isn’t hurt or that he’s faking an injury. To the contrary, the Mets believe the left-hander when he says, “personally, I love to play baseball” and “I know I’ve worked as hard as I can” to prepare for what’s supposed to be a big year at Citi Field. But Matz may or may not appreciate the difference between being pain-free and pitching with a degree of discomfort. One is ideal, the other is a reality in the big leagues. I remember asking Al Leiter many years ago when was the last time his arm felt great.
“High school,” he said without missing a beat.
For now, the Mets hope Matz will return next month. Built into the time frame is the two weeks (at least) he’ll need to ramp up once his arm feels better. In the meantime, the setbacks have had a ripple effect on the rest of the rotation. Having placed Matz on the DL, they were forced to use Zack Wheeler on Friday when club officials would’ve preferred he stayed in extended spring training.
Instead of pitching in Florida’s more favorable conditions, Wheeler took the mound on a chilly night at Citi and proceeded to get lit up by the Marlins, allowing five runs in four innings. He simply wasn’t ready. But it’s not like the Mets had other options. The rotation has lost its complement of back-ups, which is why they’re reportedly taking a look at veteran Doug Fister, who had a 4.64 ERA in 32 starts with the Astros last year and is currently unsigned.
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Of course, Matz is still the best option. He’s younger than Fister, left-handed, throws much harder and features that to-die-for curveball. Whether Matz is durable enough for the long haul remains to be seen, however. The Mets are hoping he heals quickly, but the question is: from what?
Syndergaard's big start
The Mets will be holding their breath tonight when Noah Syndergaard takes the mound against Miami. They’re about to find out if the blister on Thor’s middle finger has healed and, more importantly, if it’s gone for good.
Syndergaard says the wound had improved since Monday, when he was forced out of his opening day assignment after six innings and 86 pitches. Terry Collins was sufficiently concerned to push his ace back one day.
The odds are Syndergaard will be fine; blisters are relatively rare and don’t usually recur. But it’s foolish to say Thor had “just” a blister. They can be devastating to the unlucky few. Just look at the Dodgers’ Rich Hill, who is back on the disabled list with the same issue that ended his season last September. Hill has no idea why he keeps getting blisters, and truth is, Syndergaard has no explanation why his became a problem the other day.
The cold weather might’ve had something to do with it. As temperatures drop, the ball becomes drier as the seams harden. Middle-finger friction against the long seam is essential to throwing an effective slider, which happens to be one of Thor’s most important weapons.
It’s possible harsh contact between the stitching and tip of Syndergaard’s finger raised a blood-blister early in the game. Once the blister burst, he was done. The sensation of raw skin against a seam is a game-ender, even for a monstrosity like Thor.