The Mets revealed a double dose of negative injury news today, with manager Terry Collins updating the health of second baseman Neil Walker and lefty Steven Matz.
Walker, it seems, has a fairly significant back issue that will need to be carefully managed for the rest of the season, Collins told reporters including Marc Carig of Newsday (via Twitter). The skipper declined to specify the precise issue, but suggested both that Walker will need regular time off and that it’s a matter of at least some long-term concern (via Mike Puma of the New York Post, on Twitter).
That’s pretty awful news both for the club and for Walker, who is a free agent after the season. The 30-year-old has been excellent in New York, slashing .282/.347/.476 over 458 plate appearances, and seemed primed to receive and decline a qualifying offer en route to a nice free agent payday. Instead, there’s now serious (albeit still largely-unknown) concern about his condition.
It’s a similar story with regard to Matz, who has suffered a setback in his effort to work back from shoulder issues. The problem isn’t believed to be a structural issue or major long-term issue, but Collins acknowledges that he’s concerned the young southpaw won’t be able to return in 2016, as MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo tweets.
The 25-year-old Matz has been excellent when healthy, pitching to a 3.16 ERA over 168 frames since reaching the majors last year. But he has battled through lat, elbow, and shoulder issues already in his brief MLB career.
Oh, well it’s perfect time to call up Dilson Herrera oh wait he’s now lefty Jason Bay…
I know… Bruce is already a bust. Ugh…
Lol yup, no more corner outfielders from the NL central for the mets anymore please
That’s another reason that the Bucs were not in any hurry to sign Walker. He’s been battling back issues for years. It would’ve been quite the risk to sign him longterm even tho he is a productive ballplayer.
While in Pittsburgh, Neil Walker’s back-related issues were a regular occurrence, that often placed him on the disabled list. Although the Pirates fans loved their “hometown kid”, it was no secret that management did not want to parlay a multi-year, $10M + annual contract on a 30 year old player with chronic back problems. Hate that the Pirates traded him to the Mets for virtually nothing, but there was no way he was going to get the multi-year contract he wanted from Pittsburgh. Hoping for a swift return from the disabled list for a truly fine person, who happens to be a very good baseball player when healthy!
Matz seems to be fragile, the Mets should shut him down for the year.
Shame about Walker. As a Mets fan, he brought a solid bat and defense up the middle along with some much needed leadership, especially when D-Wright went down for the season. Good luck Neil. I hope you haven’t played your last game in Queens.
if you are a met you are likely to have back (golf) or an arm injury.