Cause for alarm as Matz gets MRI

WASHINGTON — Steven Matz’s physical issues could extend beyond a routine “dead arm” phase.

Before Wednesday’s 5-3 loss to the Nationals and a day after the Mets left-hander was hammered for seven runs and knocked out in the first inning against the Nationals and said he was dealing with “stuff,” manager Mickey Callaway revealed Matz has forearm discomfort and will receive an MRI exam in New York. Matz’s beatdown Tuesday was the beginning of a long night for the Mets, who sustained a franchiseworst 25-4 loss at Nationals Park.

“He did mention after the game that he had a little tightness or discomfort in his forearm,” Callaway said. “I think we will get him checked out and go from there.”

Matz previously had indicated to team officials that he was dealing with a dead arm for his last few starts. Matz has struggled since July 12, a stretch in which his ERA has ballooned from 3.31 to 4.35.

“There had been no discomfort like we heard after the game last night,” Callaway said. “But he was dealing with the dead arm a little bit, which every pitcher goes through. We’ll get him checked out and go from there.”

➤ Phillip Evans left Wednesday’s game with soreness in his left knee after he was hit at second base by Adam Eaton while attempting to turn a double play in the first inning. Trea Turner was safe at first on the relay, but the Mets argued that Eaton had violated the Utley Rule with an il- legal slide on Evans at second. The initial call was upheld on replay.

“Evans is a little swollen and his knee is pretty banged up,” Callaway said. “I thought that rule was in place to keep that from happening. I thought it was a little bit of a slide that kind of came off the bag, that is why we challenged it, and our player ends up getting hurt.” Jose Reyes replaced Evans at second base and hit two solo homers.

➤ Yoenis Cespedes is scheduled to undergo surgery Thursday to remove bone calcification in his right heel. Dr. Robert An

derson will perform the procedure in Green Bay, Wis.

Cespedes is expected to undergo a similar procedure on his left heel in the next two to three months.