The New York Mets are on a roll and received a positive injury update regarding one of their promising young starters, while the Cleveland Indians placed their All-Star second baseman on the disabled list on Monday.
Steven Matz, who established himself as one of the best young pitchers in the MLB this season, threw on Monday for the first time since landing on the DL back on July 10, according to Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com. Matz has been dealing with a partially torn lat muscle and is still expected to be out until September, but it's good news he was able to take his first steps in returning to the mound.
The left-hander threw a baseball on flat ground at 60 feet at the Mets' complex in Port St. Lucie, Florida, after not having picked up a baseball in four weeks. Matz, 24, dazzled in his first two MLB starts against the Cincinnati Reds and Los Angeles Dodgers after going 2-0 with a 1.32 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 14 strikeouts in 13 2/3 innings back in late June and early July.
If the Mets can keep up their winning ways, they will get Matz back just in time for the final stretch of the season as they battle the Washington Nationals for an NL East title. Their 12-1 victory over the Miami Marlins last night put them in sole possession of first place in the division.
In Cleveland, the Indians are struggling in the AL Central as they sit in last place behind the Kansas City Royals, Minnesota Twins, Detroit Tigers and Chicago White Sox. The news has not gotten better for manager Terry Francona's club.
All-Star second baseman Jason Kipnis was placed on the 15-day DL yesterday due to inflammation in his right shoulder, according to Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. He's expected to miss two to three weeks as he's been dealing with the injury "on and off" for most of the season.
The 28-year-old missed Sunday's game against the Oakland Athletics and returned to Cleveland to undergo an MRI, which determined he required a stint on the DL. Kipnis is having a career season and leads the American league in plate appearances (468) hits (132) and doubles (31). He's batting .326/.401/.477 with 66 runs scored, 6 home runs, 39 RBIs and 11 stolen bases in 101 games.
The last-place Indians will miss Kipnis' offensive contribution especially after they traded outfielders David Murphy and Brandon Moss prior to the non-waiver deadline last week.
The Mets and Indians hope to have both of these players back as soon as possible.
