Mets: Matz returns but slider has not… yet

Steven Matz had a strong return to the mound against the Braves and went back to pre-September 2015 in the process

Steven Matz had to wait two months to make his season debut. Once he did, the Mets’ southpaw was in command for seven innings in a win over Atlanta. However, there was one thing missing from Matz’s start: the use of a slider.

Matz reverted to pre-September 2015, using just his regular arsenal. He threw zero sliders, which can raise an eyebrow and a question or two. Is Matz done with that pitch? Or is he just being extra cautious and maybe looking to re-incorporate that pitch again down the road?

After Matz busted the slider out in his last couple of outings of 2015, he started to…