Mets rookie Matz nearing return after dazzling rehab start
New York Mets rookie left-hander Steven Matz is moving closer to a return to the major leagues following a dazzling rehab start Wednesday night.
Matz allowed only one hit and struck out six over six scoreless innings at Double-A Binghamton. Matz needed only 56 pitches to get through his third rehab start since suffering a partially torn lat muscle in his second major league start.
Both Mets manager Terry Collins and general manager Sandy Alderson on Wednesday indicated that Matz likely will need one more rehab start before rejoining the Mets rotation. Matz admitted pitch count could be an issue following his dominant outing.
"I'm definitely feeling a lot better every time I go out, so I'm happy with that," Matz said. "I feel ready (to return). Pitch-wise, jumping from 60 to 100 pitches would be a pretty big jump, but we'll see what happens."
Matz beat the Cincinnati Reds with 7 2/3 innings of two-run ball in his major league debut on June 28 and permitted two hits over six scoreless innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 5.
(h/t MILB.com)
