PHILADELPHIA - Steven Matz felt better Thursday but the Mets still need to see the rookie lefty pitch this weekend - and come through it without incident - before they start making postseason plans for him.
Matz, who was scratched from his start twice in this series vs. the Phillies because of tightness behind his right shoulder blade, has already missed two months this season with a partially torn left lat muscle. His first start back from the disabled list was cut short when he suffered a blister and now he has had two scheduled starts pushed back because of the back tightness he claims is a result of sleeping wrong.