Steven Matz solid in spring debut for Mets
Mets pitcher Steven Matz throws a bullpen session during a spring training workout on Monday, Feb. 22, 2016 in Port St. Lucie, Fla. Credit: Newsday / Alejandra Villa
JUPITER, Fla. – Steven Matz became the first member of the Mets’ stellar young rotation to finally take the mound in a Grapefruit League game Monday against the Cardinals at Roger Dean Stadium. And to Matz, it was worth the wait.
The former Ward Melville star allowed one hit over three innings, and struck out the side in the second. Matz whiffed Jedd Gyorko with a curve, froze Kolten Wong with a fastball on the inside edge of the plate and also got Carlos Peguero looking on a fastball up in the zone. He walked two with three strikeouts overall.
“I always have to tell myself to tone it down and I was able to stay within myself early,” Matz said. “I’m really happy with how I feel comfort-wise on the mound.”
The Mets chose to delay their rotation a week in an effort to make sure each pitcher was strong for their first spring-training start, which will be a scheduled three innings this year rather than the typical two. As a result, they figure to be sharper at an earlier date, and Matz looked that way Monday, with a responsive curve and a fastball in the mid-90s.
“I think it was good that they pushed us back a little bit,” Matz said. “Give us a little more time to get our arms ready for game action.”
Bartolo Colon made the other split-squad start Monday at Tradition Field against the Tigers. Matt Harvey will pitch Tuesday against the Braves, Jacob deGrom will face the Yankees on Wednesday and Noah Syndergaard gets the Cardinals Thursday.
David Lennon is an award-winning columnist, a voter for baseball's Hall of Fame and has covered six no-hitters, including two perfect games.
