If he hadn’t become a Major League pitcher, Steven would have pursued his childhood dream of becoming a firefighter…during his time with the Mets, he created a program called Tru32, which honored 32 heroes of the New York Police Department and Fire Department of New York as well as military service members at various events at Citi Field…in 2019, he invited members of the 102 Precinct in Queens to the ballpark to honor late NYPD Detective Brian Simonsen, who passed away in the line of duty...Steven, who received the Joan Payson-Shannon Forde Award for community service from the New York chapter of the BBWAA in 2020 and is a three-time Roberto Clemente Award nominee, has valued giving back throughout his career…some of his previous charitable contributions include spending a week in Honduras building a three-room learning center in 2015, raising over $20,000 for Angela’s House in Long Island in 2016 and donating equipment to New York area Little Leagues through the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation...He is a Long Island native and graduate of Ward Melville (N.Y.) High School…other notable alumni include comedian/actor Kevin James, actress Frances Conroy, WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley, former Detroit Lions offensive lineman Chris Dieterich, longtime NFL punter Todd Sauerbrun, MLB pitcher Anthony Kay (Steven’s Blue Jays teammate in 2021) and current Cubs pitcher Ben Brown...Throughout his youth and teenage years, Steven was coached and mentored by 12-year MLB veteran and fellow Long Island native Neal Heaton, starting with private lessons when Steven was 10 years old...His wife, Taylor, is a lead vocalist, guitarist and pianist for CAIN, a Christian rock trio comprised of Taylor and her siblings, Logan and Madison…the band produced their first EP in 2020 and has since released two studio albums...Steven and Taylor have two children.
2025
Appeared in a career-high 53 games (two starts) after transitioning to a full-time relief role for the first time in his career…split the year between the Cardinals (32G/2GS) and Red Sox (21G) after he was dealt at the July 31 trade deadline for INF Blaze Jordan...Pitched to career bests in ERA (3.05, min. 40.0IP), WHIP (1.10), walk rate (3.6%), opp. on-base pct. (.280), home runs per 9.0 IP (0.94) and chase rate (29.8%)…min 75.0 IP, the 3.6 pct. walk rate led all Major League left-handers and was the third lowest overall to SF/NYM Tyler Rogers (2.3%) and MIA Janson Junk (2.9%)...Threw his curveball 21.8 pct. of the time, the second-highest rate of his career behind 2017 (23.1%)…opponents hit .197 (13-for-66) against the offering, ninth lowest on any MLB left-hander’s curveball (min. 60AB)...Made his eighth consecutive Opening Day roster and the ninth of his career…made the Cardinals Opening Day roster for the fourth straight year...On March 30 vs. MIN, earned his first career save in his season debut, working the final four innings of a 9-2 win...Made his two starts on April 16 vs. HOU and April 30 at CIN…recorded a combined 1.00 ERA (9.0IP, 1ER) in those outings, fanning a season-high six batters in the latter start...Reached 10 years of MLB service time in June...On Aug. 28 at BAL, tallied his second career save thanks to a scoreless ninth inning…was part of an 11-appearance August in which he recorded a 0.73 ERA (12.1IP, 1ER), tied for ninth in the AL (min. 10.0IP), and three holds in his first month with the Red Sox...POSTSEASON: Saw his first playoff action since his 2015 rookie season with the Mets…threw a pair of scoreless frames across Games 2 and 3 of the Red Sox ALWCS loss to the Yankees.
2024
Began the season in the Cardinals five-man rotation...Appeared in 12 games, making seven starts...Opened the season with five scoreless innings at LAD (3/31), before exiting with a no decision after a season-high 5.1 innings...Was placed on the 15-day injured list (lower back strain) on May 1, following his start on 4/30 [Game 2] at DET...Missed 108 games during the season and was transferred to the 60-day injured list on June 28...Had injury rehabilitation assignments to Springfield (AA) and Memphis (AAA)...Returned from the injured list on Sept. 1 and made one start and five relief appearances in September to finish out the season...Ran off nine consecutive scoreless innings (4/6-12)...Earned his lone win during the home opening weekend tossing five scoreless innings vs. MIA (4/6) in a 3-1 Cardinals win...Began the season with four or more scoreless innings to start each of his first three games (at LAD 3/31; vs. MIA 4/6; at ARI 4/12)...Stuck out a season-high seven batters over 4.2 innings at Milwaukee (9/3)...Finished the season with two scoreless relief appearances of two (at COL 9/26) and one (at SF 9/29) innings pitched...Held left-handed batters to a .227 (10-44) batting average with four doubles and one RBI...Allowed all seven home runs on the season to right-handed batters...Was 1-2 with a 6.12 ERA in seven starts and 0-0 with a 2.25 ERA, compiling 12 innings in five relief appearances.
2023
NL Ranks: pitch tempo-bases empty (12.3 seconds/pitch, fifth)...Made 25 appearances (17 starts) between the starting rotation and bullpen...Limited left-handed batters to a .215/295/304 slashline (17- 79) with three extra-base hits (two home runs and double)...Recorded a season-high 17.0 scoreless innings streak from July 20-Aug. 5), longest by a Cardinal pitcher in 2023...Opened season making 10 starts in the rotation, starting 0-6 with a 5.72 ERA (50.1 IP) and 45 strikeouts...Received 16 runs of support while St. Louis was 2-8 in those games...Moved to the bullpen in late May and made eight relief appearances, logging a 2.81 ERA (16.0 IP) with 15 strikeouts and .224 average against...Allowed runs in only three of eight relief appearances, while working 2.0+ IP in four outings...As a starter, went 4-6 with a 4.04 ERA (89.0 IP) in 17 starts...Pitched 5.0 innings or more in 13-of-17 starts (four quality)...Hurled career-high 3.1 scoreless innings in relief (3.1) twice, garnering 10 scoreless outs, in London vs. Cubs (6/24) and vs. Astros (6/29)...Returned to the starting rotation on July 9, finishing his season 4-0 with a 1.86 ERA (8 ER/38.2 IP) and 38 strikeouts in his final seven starts...Held his opposition to two runs or fewer in six of starts, including one run or fewer in five...Over that seven-start span from July 9-Aug. 12, ranked among MLB leaders in wins (T-second), innings (T-fourth), ERA (third), average against (.190, T-seventh), opponent OPS (.537), WHIP (0.88, fifth), BR/9 (7.91, third), and FIP (2.85, fourth)...Missed the final 44 games of season due to a left lat strain.
2022
Missed 102 games on the Injured List with a left shoulder impingement (5/23-7/16) and strained left knee (7/24- 9/16). Was activated from his second stint and added to the bullpen. ..Ranked eighth in MLB in Pitch Tempo (14.4 sec/pitch) with bases empty; 21.6 sec/pitch with runners on, leading all Cardinals relievers. ..Recorded the best strikeout (26.1%) and lowest walk rates (4.8%) of his career...Led Cardinals starting pitchers in strikeouts/9 IP (10.72 K). ..Began the season as a starting pitcher and was 4-3 with a 5.70 ERA in 10 starts...Was 1-0 with a 1.69 ERA in five relief appearances to end the year. Limited the opposition to a .150/.190/.250 slashline with a .440 OPS out of the bullpen...Made his first relief appearance of the season on 9/17 [2] vs. Cincinnati and first since 9/27/20 at Washington, earning the win with a scoreless 11th inning while stranding a runner...Earned a win in his start at Cincinnati (7/23) before going on the I.L. Three of his five wins in 2022 came vs. CIN...Allowed his only run as a relief pitcher on 10/1 in his longest outing (1.1 IP).
2021
Spent his first season with the Blue Jays and posted a career-high with 14 wins. Ranked T-2nd behind only Julio Urias (LAD, 20) for most wins by a left-handed pitcher in MLB... Recorded a career-high nine road wins, T-2nd most in the American League with Eduardo Rodriguez (BOS) trailing only Gerrit Cole (NYY, 10)... Began the season with wins in four straight starts (4/5-23) and finished the season with wins in his last five decisions over nine starts... Posted a 5-2 record in 12 home starts playing in three different ballparks. Was 1-1 with a 6.00 ERA in three starts at Sahlen Field (Buffalo), 1-1 with a 5.23 ERA in four starts at TD Ballpark (Dunedin) and 3-0 with a 2.12 ERA in five starts at Rogers Centre (Toronto)... Tied for the Major League lead with four wins in the month of April (4-1), tied with eight other pitchers...Had the lowest hard-hit ball percentage (37.9) of any full season during his career... His post All-Star break totals included a 7-3 mark with a 2.91 ERA and .670 opponent OPS in 14 starts... Finished 10th among American League starters in ground ball pct. (46.3) and tied for 11th with his 15 grounded into double plays... Struck out a season-high 10 batters vs. NYY (5/25), his 3rd career double-digit strikeout game.
2020
Made six starts for the Mets, going 0-5 in those contests...Finished with a 10.17 ERA (29 ER/25.2 IP) with 28 strikeouts as a starter...Allowed at least one home run in each start...Made three appearances out of the bullpen, allowing four earned runs over 5.0 innings pitched (7.20 ERA)...Allowed 14 home runs over 30.2 innings pitched (4.11 HR/9), the highest home run rate in club history and the 2nd highest in Major League history (min. 30 IP)...Notched his lone quality start on July 25 vs. ATL, his 1st outing of the year...Made his 1st appearance out of the bullpen August 29 at NYY...Tossed 1.0 perfect inning with two strikeouts before being removed due to injury...Placed on the injured list from Aug. 30-Sept. 16 with left shoulder discomfort...Named New York’s 2020 nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award, his 3rd nomination.
2019
Made a career-high 32 appearances (30 starts)...Also set career highs in wins (11), strikeouts (153), and innings pitched (160.1) ... Struck out at least six batters in a career-high 16 starts and pitched at least 6.0 innings in 16 starts, matching a career-high (also, 2016) ... Tied for the major league lead with 13 hits as a pitcher and nearly matched his career total in hits (17) from the previous four seasons ... Had a 4.95 ERA in 16 first-half starts (44 earned runs/80.0 innings) and a 3.52 ERA (31 earned runs/79.1 innings) in 14 second-half starts... Went 8-2 in 15 home starts in 2019 with a 2.31 ERA and maintained a 9.23 K/9...His 2.31 home ERA was the third-best mark in the majors...The Mets went 11-4 in his 15 Citi Field starts, the best of any Mets starter in 2019...His eight wins at home this season were a career high and were tied for eighth in the NL ... Threw his first career complete game shutout on July 27 at Citi FIeld ... Needed just 99 pitches to shut out the Pirates...The last Met to throw a shutout with fewer than 100 pitches was Johan Santana on May 26, 2012 vs. San Diego...Noah Syndergaard was the last Met to throw a complete game without issuing a walk (September 30, 2018 vs. Miami) ... Recorded his only double-digit strikeout game of the season on June 8 at Citi Field as he whiffed 10 Colorado batters...Was the second-highest strikeout total of his career (had 11 on September 1, 2018 at San Francisco).... Threw 11 quality starts at home...Went 23-straight starts without allowing more than three earned runs at Citi Field from June 3, 2018-September 11, 2019, tied for the second-longest streak in club history with Jacob deGrom (2014-2015)...Jon Niese (2013-2015) had 26-straight home starts allowing three earned runs or fewer ... Went 3-8 with a 6.62 ERA (52 earned runs/70.2 innings) on the road...Allowed 19 of his 27 home runs on the road (2.42 HR/9 on the road and 0.80 HR/9 at home)...Allowed a career-high 27 home runs, tied for 11th-most in the NL ... Twenty of his 75 earned runs allowed came in the first inning... Did not allow a first-inning run in 13 of his last 14 starts after the All-Star break...Owned a 6.21 ERA (20 earned runs/29.0 innings) in the first inning...Owned a 3.77 ERA (55 earned runs/131.1 innings) in all following innings... Allowed six hits or fewer in 23 of his 30 starts this season, but gave up a career-high 10 hits twice (May 23 vs. Washington and June 23 at Philadelphia)...Since the start of 2018, Matz has held his opponent to three hits or fewer in 20 starts, tied for the eighth-most in the majors. Matz made two scoreless relief appearances before the All-Star break...He retired the only batter he faced against the Yankees on July 3 at Citi Field...Also pitched 0.2 scoreless innings out of the bullpen against the Phillies on July 6, earning his first career hold after allowing three hits in the Mets' 6-5 win...They were his first two relief outings... Allowed eight runs without recording an out on April 16 at Philadelphia...Became the fifth starting pitcher since 1893 to surrender at least eight runs without retiring a batter...The others are Bill Krueger (1984, Oakland), Bobby Jones (1997, Mets), Blake Stein (1998, Oakland) and Paul Wilson (twice, 2003 and 2005, Cincinnati)...Courtesy of Elias.
2018
Made a career-high 30 starts...Also set career-highs in innings (154.0) and strikeouts (152)...Had a 3.38 first-half ERA (36 earned runs/96.0 innings) and a 4.97 ERA after the break (32 earned runs/58.0 innings)...Held opponents to a 15.4 percent line drive rate, the lowest rate in the majors (min. 140.0 innings)...48.8 percent of the balls in play against Matz were grounders, the ninth-highest percentage in the National League (min. 140.0 innings)...Homered in two straight games (September 13 vs. Miami and September 18 vs. Philadelphia), making him one of three Mets pitchers to go deep in two-straight starts (also, Ron Darling, 1989 and Tom Seaver, 1972)...His two home runs were the most by a Mets pitcher since Noah Syndergaard hit three in 2016... Was the eighth time in franchise history a pitcher hit multiple home runs in a single season...Had a 7.28 ERA (24 earned runs/29.2 innings) in the opening frame...In all subsequent innings, posted a 3.19 ERA (44 earned runs/124.1 innings)...Held opponents to a .219 average (52-237) with runners on... With runners in scoring position, held opponents to a .232 average (32-138), including a .213 (13-61) mark with RISP and two outs...Opponents batted .154 (2-13) with the bases loaded...Recorded a 2.25 ERA (six earned runs/24.0 innings) in five May outings, his best ERA in any month...That 2.25 ERA ranked 11th among NL pitchers who made at least five starts in May...In six September starts, owned a 2.51 ERA (nine earned runs/32.1 innings) and held opponents to a .170 (19-112) average...Threw eight quality starts in his last 10 home outings and posted a 2.90 ERA (20 earned/62.0 innings) in that span...In 15 starts overall at Citi Field during the 2018 season, went 1-6 with a 3.59 ERA (34 earned runs/85.1 innings)...Opponents batted .209 (64-306) against Matz at Citi Field, 12th best in the NL...Matz held opposing batters to a .227 BABIP at home, which was the lowest in the NL.
2017
Underwent surgery to decompress and reposition the ulnar nerve in his left elbow on August 23...The surgery was performed at the Hospital for Special Surgery...Was placed on the 10-Day Disabled List on August 22, retroactive to August 19...Made his last start on August 17 vs. the Yankees...Began the season on the 10-Day Disabled List with left elbow inflammation...Went 0-1 with a 6.06 ERA (11 earned runs/16.1 innings) in four combined rehabilitation starts between St. Lucie (A) of the Florida State League and Las Vegas (AAA) of the Pacific Coast League...Made his season debut in Game 2 of a doubleheader on June 10 at Atlanta...Earned the win, tossing 7.0 innings and giving up just one earned run...Had back-to-back scoreless starts, June 28 & July 3, as part of a 17.0 scoreless inning streak from June 22-July 3...Picked up his 200th career strikeout on August 6...Became the eighth Mets starter in franchise history to strikeout 200 or more batters in their first 39 career starts, joining Dwight Gooden, Matt Harvey, Noah Syndergaard, Jacob deGrom, Sid Fernandez, Zack Wheeler and Nolan Ryan...Recorded his 15th career victory with his win on June 28 at Miami in his 32nd career start, the second-fastest of any pitcher who began their major league career with the Mets... Only Dwight Gooden (28th game) reached 15 wins faster...Over his final nine starts of the season, went 0-6 with a 8.39 ERA (37 earned runs/39.2 innings)...Was called on to pinch-hit with the bases loaded on June 14 against the Cubs and reached on an infield single to drive in a run...Was the second pitcher in franchise history to drive in a run as a pinch hitter...Dwight Gooden accomplished the feat on October 3, 1993 against the Marlins.
2016
Had a bone spur removed from his left elbow on October 4 at the Hospital for Special Surgery... He also received a PRP injection in his left shoulder...Placed on the 15-Day Disabled List on August 22 (retroactive to August 15) with left shoulder tightness... Was shut down for the remainder of the season...Was tied for sixth in the NL Rookie of the Year voting...In his final start of the season, a 5-1 win vs. San Diego on August 14 at Citi Field, he tossed 7.1 no-hit innings before he allowed a single to Alexei Ramirez.. It was the deepest a Mets pitcher had taken a no-hitter since Johan Santana no-hit the Cardinals on June 1, 2012...Was named the National League Rookie of the Month for May, going 4-0 with a 1.31 ERA (five earned runs/34.1 innings) in five starts...Struck out 31, walked five and limited opposing hitters to a .172 average...Won nine games, tied for the fourth most by a rookie lefthander in team history with Al Jackson (1962)...Only Jerry Koosman (19 wins in 1968), Jon Matlack (15 in 1972) and Hisanori Takahashi (10 in 2010) had more...His nine wins were tied for the sixth most among major league rookies...His 129 strikeouts ranked sixth among rookies, while his 8.77 K/9 ranked fourth (min. 100 innings)...His 3.40 ERA (50 earned runs/132.1 innings) was the fifth-lowest ERA (min. 100 innings)...Began the year 7-1 with a 2.36 ERA (13 earned runs/49.2 innings) in his first eight starts of the season... Struck out 50 and walked nine...Earned the win in seven consecutive starts from April 17-May 25... The last Met to win seven consecutive starts was Steve Trachsel from June 9-July 14, 2006...Over the stretch, he allowed two runs or fewer in all seven games...According to Elias, only four other rookies since 1920 won at least seven consecutive starts while giving up no more than two runs in each appearance...Boo Ferriss (eight straight in 1945), Fernando Valenzuela (eight in 1981), Cal Eldred (seven in 1992) and Jered Weaver (seven in 2006)...Went 11-1 in his first 14 career regular season games...According to the Elias Sports Bureau, since 1900, he is one of two lefthanders to win 11 of their first 14 major league starts...The other was Kazuhisa Ishii for the Dodgers in 2002...Became the first pitcher in franchise history to win 11 of his first 12 major league decisions...Walked two batters or fewer in 19 of his 22 starts...He walked four of 113 batters faced with runners in scoring position...Went 5-2 with a 1.29 ERA (seven earned runs/49.0 innings) in seven daytime starts...In 10 career starts during the day, he's 7-2 with a 1.46 ERA (11 earned runs/68.0 innings)...His 13 wins are the fourth-most wins in Mets history through a pitcher's first 28 career starts...Dillon Gee has the third-most with 14 wins and Dwight Gooden has the second-most with 15...Jerry Koosman leads with 16 wins.
2015
Became the first pitcher in Mets history to allow two runs or fewer in each of his first five major league starts...His 1.80 ERA after five games was the lowest for any pitcher in team history after five career outings with at least 30.0 total innings pitched...After six games, his 2.27 ERA trails Dillon Gee (2.09) and Tom Seaver (2.21) for the lowest mark in franchise history after six major league outings...Joined Jason Jacome as the only pitchers in Mets history to win four of their first five career games...Became the first Mets pitcher to begin his career 4-0 after five career games or starts... He became the third pitcher in team history to remain undefeated after his first six career starts...Joined Eric Hillman (1992) and Mike Scott (1979)....Is the third pitcher since 1901 to finish his first season 4-0 or better after making at least six starts...Also done by Kirk Reuter (8-0, 1993, Montreal) and Pat Combs (4-0, 1983, Philadelphia)...Recalled from Las Vegas (AAA) on June 27 and made his major league debut on June 28 at Citi Field...Earned the win in the Mets 7-2 victory against the Reds...Pitched 7.2 innings, allowing two runs, earned, on five hits, striking out six and walking three...Became the sixth pitcher in club history to throw at least 7.2 innings in his big league debut and the first since Brent Gaff also pitched 7.2 innings on July 7, 1982…Was the first Met to win such a start since Gary Gentry tossed 8.2 innings to beat Montreal on April 10, 1969…Was the first Met to throw 7.2 innings and allow five or fewer hits in his debut since Randy Tate allowed five hits in 8.0 innings in his first career game on April 14, 1975 at Philadelphia....Went 3-for-3 with four RBI in his major league debut, including a two-run double in his first at-bat…His four RBI set a franchise record for any player's major league debut…Was the only pitcher and the 26th player in the last century to collect at least four RBI in his big league debut… He was the sixth pitcher in Mets history to record four RBI in a game…Last done by Dwight Gooden on May 11, 1990…His three hits tied a Mets record for any player's major league debut and tied a club record for a pitcher in any game... Was the seventh pitcher in the last century and just the second in the last 70 years with at least three hits in his major league debut...Also became the 11th player and first pitcher in the last century to record at least three hits and four RBI in his major league debut...He is the second pitcher in franchise history to have three hits and four RBI in one game…Also done by Dwight Gooden against the Pirates on September 21, 1985 at Shea…The only other major league pitcher to have such a game since 2008 was Cliff Lee against Miami on September 16, 2013...Threw 54.9% of his pitches inside the strike zone...That mark would have ranked first among major league starters if Matz qualified... After a first-pitch strike, batters hit .185 (12-for- 65) against him with two walks and 26 strikeouts...With runners on base, batters hit .188 (12-for- 64) against him, including .156 (5-for-32) with runners in scoring position.... Was placed on the Disabled List on July 10, retroactive to July 6, with a partial tear of the lat muscle on his left side...Was reinstated from the DL on September 1...In four minor-league rehab starts, two each with St. Lucie and Binghamton, he went 1-0 with a 1.20 ERA (two earned runs/15.0 innings)....Ranked first in the Pacific Coast League with a 2.19 ERA and 94 strikeouts at the time of his promotion...His seven wins were tied for the most in the PCL, while his .213 opponent batting average was third-best.
POSTSEASON
Appeared in six regular season major league games prior to starting Game 4 of the World Series...According to the Elias Sports Bureau, that is tied for the fewest career regular season games at the time a pitcher made his first major league World Series start...Marty Bystrom also had six regular season appearances before starting Game 5 of the 1980 World Series for the Phillies (also against Kansas City)...Matz' six regular season starts are the third-fewest before his first World Series starts behind Joe Black's two starts in 1952 for Brooklyn and Bystrom's five career starts in 1980...Became the first Mets pitcher born in New York to start a playoff game for the Mets...Received a no-decision in the Mets' win in Game 4 of the NLCS at Wrigley FIeld...Started the series-clinching game and pitched 4.2 innings (allowed one run and struck out four).
2014
Named the Sterling Organizational Pitcher of the Year...He finished the minor league regular season with a 10-9 record and a 2.24 ERA (35 earned runs/140.2 innings) with 131 strikeouts in 24 games, all starts, over two levels...Hurled 7.1 no-hit innings on September 12 vs. Richmond in the EL clinching game...Finished with a no-decision, working 7.1 innings, allowing two hits, one run...He issued two walks and struck out 11 in a 2-1 victory...Started his season with St. Lucie (A) of the Florida State League, going 4-4 with a 2.21 ERA (17 earned runs/69.1 innings) and earning a selection to the FSL mid-season All-Star team...Promoted to Binghamton (AA) of the Eastern League, where he made 12 starts and compiled a 6-5 record with a 2.27 ERA (18 earned runs/71.1 innings)...Finished with the second-best ERA among all Mets minor leaguers and had the second-highest strikeout total.
2013
Completed his first full injury-free season in the minors... Struck out 121 in 106.1 innings (10.24 strikeouts per nine innings) for Savannah (A) of the South Atlantic League…Allowed 86 hits in those 106.1 innings... Helped lead the Sand Gnats to the SAL Championship…Went 2-0 and did not allow a run in 12.2 innings during the postseason while racking up 17 strikeouts... Compiled an ERA under 2.00 in three months, 1.96 in four games in April, 1.54 in four contests in June and 1.59 in three games in July... Struck out a season-high 10 on June 14 vs. Greenville…Fanned nine on three other occasions... Turned in a 7.0-inning complete game shutout to turn back Greenville on July 6…Allowed three hits, with three walks and five strikeouts... Righthanded batters hit .214 (63-294) against him, while lefthanded batters hit .261 (23-68) against him.
2012
Made his professional debut with six starts for Kingsport (R) of the Appalachian League.
2011
Missed his second straight season while recovering from Tommy John surgery.
2010
Did not pitch before undergoing Tommy John surgery on May 18, 2010.
