UPDATE: The A's have shut down Jesse Hahn due to a forearm strain, according to Aaron Gleeman of NBC Sports' HardballTalk.
The New York Mets and Oakland Athletics face further depth issues with their rotation thanks to a couple of injuries this week. Steven Matz and Jesse Hahn are expected to miss some time, which could affect a number of plans for each team.
Matz will miss at least three weeks with a partially torn lat muscle, according to Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News. The rookie was excellent in his first two starts against the Cincinnati Reds and Los Angeles Dodgers, earning two wins, striking out 14 and surrendering a total of two earns runs on seven hits and five walks in 13 2/3 innings.
The 24-year-old said he felt stiffness in his left side after his MLB debut and he still felt it until his start against the Dodgers, but he pitched anyway. Now he risks missing an extended period of time.
"Matz, who was examined at the Hospital for Special Surgery on Thursday, was given a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection, which doctors use to try to promote healing in muscles and tendons," Ackert writes. "He will be re-examined by team doctors after the three-week shutdown."
The Mets were going with a six-man rotation in hopes of resting some of their younger arms (Matt Harvey, Jacob deGrom and Noah Syndergaard), while also trying to increase Jon Niese's trade value. Those plans will now change, but it's unknown how they'll replace Matz because Dillon Gee has been awful at Triple-A and Rafael Montero has yet to return from rotator cuff inflammation.
In Oakland, the Athletics first dealt with Scott Kazmir leaving Wednesday's game with triceps soreness. Now, fellow starter Jesse Hahn will undergo an MRI on his right elbow today, according to Jane Lee of MLB.com. The right-hander, who was acquired from the San Diego Padres this offseason, experienced tightness in his elbow after his last start and has been on nine days of rest.
Lee notes the team was not "overly encouraged" with his bullpen session on Wednesday and he'll be checked out as a "precautionary measure." Rookie Chris Bassitt will take his spot in the rotation for now.
Hahn was 6-6 with a 3.35 ERA and 1.169 WHIP in 16 starts this season, and his potential injury may have a significant impact on the Athletics' trade deadline plans. The A's are expected to make some deals before July 31, one of which may involve Kazmir, but their starting rotation trouble could force them to halt on any transactions involving pitchers.
Jarrod Parker re-injured his elbow during his recovery from Tommy John surgery; Jesse Chavez has struggled as of late; A.J. Griffin is still recovering from Tommy John; and it's possible Kendall Graveman has an innings limit. All of these factors limit the A's rotation depth and trading Kazmir will further deplete that department.
We'll see how the Mets and A's cope with these losses in the coming weeks.
