Matz hurls six scoreless innings at Double-A
Mets' No. 1 prospect likely to make one more rehab start before joining club
PHILADELPHIA -- Steven Matz may be more than a week away from coming off the disabled list, but he certainly looked ready in his latest rehab start Wednesday for Double-A Binghamton.
Matz delivered six shutout, one-hit innings against Erie, striking out six and walking none. It was the rookie left-hander's first rehab start at Binghamton, following two outings with Class A Advanced St. Lucie.
Mets manager Terry Collins said earlier Wednesday that Matz, who has been on the disabled list since July 10 with a strained left lat, will almost certainly need one additional start in the Minors before the Mets will consider taking him off the DL. Matz, the Mets' No. 1 prospect, threw just 56 pitches in Wednesday's outing, and was on a strict pitch count of 60. He will stretch out to approximately 75-80 in his next start, putting him on track for a return to the Mets five days after that.
The Mets have said they hope to use a six-man rotation, at least temporarily, once Matz returns.
Worth noting
• Jacob deGrom was ill during the worst start of his career on Monday, Collins said Wednesday, though the manager was unaware until after deGrom had taken the mound. Collins added that deGrom has since improved and is in no danger of missing his next start, scheduled for Saturday at Citi Field.
• Third baseman David Wright received his first day of rest Wednesday since returning from the disabled list. The Mets plan to play Wright on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, then rest him again Sunday in an effort to help him stay healthy for the remainder of the season.