EVEN STEVEN
After mild case of nerves, Matz tosses two scoreless innings in first game after surgery
PORT ST. LUCIE — Steven Matz had relatively routine surgery last fall. The Mets’ lefthander had a bone spur removed from his elbow, what MLB pitchers normally just call an offseason “clean out.” Still, with his short pro history littered with setbacks from injuries, he admitted there was some anxiety when he finally made his 2017 Grapefruit League debut Monday.
“I definitely had some nerves going into it, since it’s been such a long time since I’ve been out there,” Matz said after throwing two scoreless innings against the Marlins. “I had to make sure I had my cleats on, my hat on when I was first out there.”
Matz was the last of three starters who are coming off season-ending surgery to make his Grapefruit League debut without any major red flags. He gave up three hits and struck out one in two innings.
“I thought he was OK,” Terry Collins said. “It’s been a while. He didn’t throw many changeups today. He wanted to focus on locating his fastball, but he was free and easy. I liked that. I liked that he threw a couple breaking balls that looked OK. For a first step, pretty good.
Matz needs a strong, healthy 2017 season to erase concerns. He has struggled through a rare two-year return from Tommy John surgery in 2010 and dealt with knee, neck and pectoral issues and finally the shoulder and elbow injuries that shut him down last season. That has forced Matz to take a new, more mindful approach for 2017.
“I feel good. I am mindful of it,” Matz said of having to stay healthy. “I am keeping it on my mind as I get my work in and realize what I have got to do. I am using what I have learned so far to feel good and stay that way.”
Part of that is taking his foot off the gas pedal a little bit. Matz is focusing on not always throwing as hard as he can as a way to maintain his arm. It’s not always easy for him.
Monday, Matz’s fastball ranged from 91 to 93 mph, according to a scout in the stands with a radar gun. That was not far off his usual work. Matz’s fastball averaged just over 94 mph last season. He was also working on a slightly different delivery out of the stretch. Matz allowed 20 stolen bases in 22 starts last season, contributing to the major-league worst 135 of the Mets pitching staff.
Monday, Matz was hesitating as he raised his leg and checking on the runner. “I am working on reading runners more. When I lift my leg, if they go, I pick over to first, but once I am committed to home plate, then my focus is on home plate,” Matz said. “That’s just something that I have been working on this spring so far.”