SAN FRANCISCO -- Giants manager Bruce Bochy told Terry Collins last winter that the Mets manager would see "some effect" from his team playing deep into the postseason in 2015.
Collins didn't know what he meant at the time. But he fully understands now, after rookie Seth Lugo became the club's eighth pitcher to start a game this season Friday against the Giants at AT&T Park.
A combination of bad luck and the Mets' reliance on its starting rotation into last year's World Series have resulted in the 2016 season being fraught with setbacks. Steven Matz being forced to miss his scheduled start Friday because of shoulder discomfort was just the latest example.
"People don't want to hear it because they think it's an excuse. We don't make excuses here, but I've had too many guys that have managed deep in the postseason tell me there's a residual effect," said Collins. "And a lot of times it's your pitching."
Collins added he doesn't believe Matz's shoulder issue will be serious. However, the left-hander will travel back to New York on Sunday to have his shoulder checked by team doctors. Collins did not indicate whether Matz would miss more than one start.
In addition, Collins said the club would not use Monday's off-day to skip Jon Niese's spot in the starting rotation. He pointed to the rough outing Jacob deGrom had Thursday and mentioned the right-hander could benefit from the extra day of rest.
"[The pitchers'] fumes are running low," Collins said.
Matz's injury certainly came at an inopportune time for the Mets. He had allowed just two runs over his last two appearances and seemed to have gotten past the elbow issue that affected him earlier in the year. Collins said Matz had pitched "as good as we've seen him" in his last start.
"I think you're seeing there's a residual effect with playing that deep and the fact that we've just had some bad luck," said Collins.