Considering Steven Matz's perfect record, his batting prowess and the overwhelmingly positive energy he has brought to the ascendant Mets, it can be said that his young career has a too-good-to-be-true quality. In any case, the early benign prognosis on his back stiffness clearly was too good to be true.
Matz was at a doctor Friday afternoon while the rest of the team was at Citi Field, learning that the game Friday night against the Nationals had been rained out and scheduled as part of a doubleheader Saturday. Terry Collins acknowledged that the pitcher's back is not better and that there is little chance the phenom from Ward Melville will pitch this weekend.