LI's Matz needs Tommy John surgery

ATLANTA – East Setauket’s Steven Matz, the Mets’ top pick in last year’s draft, will undergo Tommy John surgery Tuesday afternoon at the Hospital of Special Surgery in Manhattan.

Matz, 18, felt pain in his left elbow during an extended spring game last week in Port St. Lucie and was sent back to New York for more tests and an MRI, which revealed an 80 percent tear in the ligament.
 
"I know so many guys that have gone through the surgery," Matz said. "It's very disappointing. I was preparing for the season and very excited about it, but this is an unexpected delay."
 
The Mets selected Matz, the Ward Melville star, with the 72nd overall pick in last year’s draft. He was likely to begin this year at one of the Mets’ Class A short-season affiliates.
 
With MSG Varsity's Gregg Sarra