It was only one inning, but it was a start — a start for Steven Matz to return to the Mets.
Matz threw one inning for Single-A St. Lucie on Saturday in his first rehab assignment. He gave up three hits, two of them of the infield variety, one run and struck out two while throwing 23 pitches (16 for strikes).
The Mets are hopeful Matz returns in September as a sixth starter where necessary to ease the burden on the young starters. The lefty went on the 15-day disabled list July 10 with a partial tear of the lat muscle on his left side.