PORT ST. LUCIE — Steven Matz finished strong. The Mets lefthander, who is coming off elbow surgery to move his ulnar nerve, threw four scoreless innings against the Marlins Sunday. He scattered two hits, walked one and struck out four.
It was his second straight impressive outing after a slow start to the spring. In his previous start, Matz had struck out nine Astros in six innings.
“They brought their best lineup out there, I was able to navigate it a couple times through,” Matz said. “I think I went three times through, so that’s how important spring is, going into the season.”
Steven Matz gave the Mets exactly what they needed to see from the lefty during final spring game.
(Steve Mitchell/USA TODAY Sports)
He finished by allowing four earned runs over his last 18.1 innings in Grapefruit League play, striking out 20. His first start of the regular season will be April 1 in the series finale against the Cardinals at Citi Field.
Mickey Callaway finally announced his rotation Sunday. After Noah Syndergaard, Jacob deGrom and Matz pitch the opening series, Matt Harvey will open the series April 2 against the Phillies, followed by Seth Lugo, who is spot-starting for Jason Vargas.
After years of battling elbow issues — a bone spur in 2016 and the irritated ulnar nerve in 2017 — Matz had a pain-free 2018 spring training. He was shut down in mid-August last year and that may have contributed to his early struggles this spring. Matz allowed 10 earned runs, walked four and struck out one in 1.2 innings over his first two starts. Being healthy has allowed Matz to break some of the bad habits — not finishing pitches — he developed when dealing with elbow pain.
After rough start to spring, Steven Matz finishes with second straight strong outing Sunday.
(Steve Mitchell/USA TODAY Sports)
“It’s really nice. I’ve been able to really work on stuff between starts,” Matz said. “Especially this time with an extra day of rest. I got a nice long bullpen session and I can really get the work in. That’s what it’s all about. When you go out there and you don’t have anything nagging you, you just worry about getting guys out. It’s been really good.”
NAILS
Syndergaard was expected to have a split fingernail on his pitching hand looked at Sunday, Callaway said. “Anything can be an issue. We need to make sure we take care of it,” Callaway said. “Those things have been issues for pitchers in the past. Not sure how much he has battled that in the past. Make sure we stay on top on that.”
Syndergaard is scheduled to start Opening Day on Thursday against the Cardinals.
KEEPING IT QUIET
Phil Evans’ first splash in spring training was a lesson. The utility infielder got embroiled in a social medial firestorm after he posted pictures of the Mets on a team-building fishing trip with Donald Trump Jr. So Sunday morning when he got the news he had made the team, he knew better than to post it on social media.
Instead, Evans woke up his family in California — 4:30 a.m. PDT — and then kept he news to himself. Evans can play around the infield and outfield as well as catch in a pinch. He hit .261 with two home runs and seven RBI in 46 at-bats.
“Evans made that decision more than anything. He showed us how valuable he is going to be off the bench,” Callaway said. “That was really good to see.”
BULLPEN INSURANCE
The Mets signed lefty Fernando Abad to a minor-league contract Sunday. Abad, 32, went 2-1 with one save and a 3.30 ERA with the Red Sox last season. Abad was released by the Phillies after appearing in three games this spring. ... Brandon Nimmo was bruised but OK after fouling a ball off the inside of his right shin. He had fouled a ball of the same spot before and was in obvious pain after it happened. … Callaway would not divulge which catcher, Travis d’Arnaud or Kevin Plawecki, will get the majority of playing time. He said that decision will mostly be based on their hitting and what pitcher the Mets are facing.