NEW YORK -- Mets supplemental-round Draft pick Anthony Kay underwent Tommy John surgery on Tuesday to replace a damaged ligament in his left elbow, the Mets announced, joining fellow left-hander Steven Matz on the operating table. Kay will miss the entire 2017 season.
The Mets' second selection in the 2016 Draft, Kay, 21, starred at UConn with a 2.64 ERA over three seasons. But he signed with the Mets for only $1.1 million, $872,000 under Major League Baseball's slot recommendation for the 31st overall pick. That was due to concern over a physical exam that raised issues regarding Kay's elbow, according to MLB.com's Jim Callis.
Kay, the Mets' No. 9 prospect according to MLBPipeline.com, did not pitch in the Minor Leagues after signing. He should debut as a 23-year-old in 2018.
Matz, who coincidentally graduated from the same Long Island high school as Kay, also underwent surgery on Tuesday to remove bone spurs from his left elbow. Though Matz pitched through that injury for much of this season, an impingement in his left shoulder prompted the Mets to shut him down in late September. While at the Hospital for Special Surgery on Tuesday, Matz received a platelet-rich plasma injection in that shoulder.
Matz finished his rookie season 9-8 with a 3.40 ERA in 22 starts. The Mets expect him to be ready for the start of Spring Training.