The official reason for Steven Matz's latest stint on the disabled list is "left elbow inflammation." But the Mets left-hander said doctors have diagnosed him with a strained flexor tendon in his elbow.
"From my understanding, it's like a flexor strain, I strained my flexor," Matz said on Monday before the Mets began the season against the Braves. "That's kind of what the feeling is, that the flexor tendon is kind of flaring up."
In many cases, flexor tendon strains simply may require rest. In others, they can lead to corrective surgery or even could be precursors to Tommy John surgery.
In Matz's case, the Mets have said tests have revealed no damage to Matz's ligament, which has already been replaced with Tommy John surgery earlier in his career. Matz already has undergone a platelet-rich plasma injection to promote healing in his flexor tendon. He will be shut down from throwing for three weeks.
"Personally, I love to play baseball and now I can't play baseball," said Matz, who until now had never dealt with a flexor tendon issue. "Professionally, it's my job and now I can't do it. On both ends, it's really unfortunate."
Matz, 25, is regarded as part of the Mets' stable of talented young arms. But he has been derailed by injuries throughout his entire career.
"It's tough but I know I've worked as hard as I can and it's out of my control," Matz said. "So I try to do all I can to stay healthy and stay on the field. Thankfully, it's not anything more serious. So, I hope that I can come back and help the team when I'm ready but there's nothing I can do I feel like."
