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Steven Matz’s crucial step toward ‘long-shot’ playoff start

Steven Matz is the Mets’ preferred option to start Friday against the Phillies, but the lefty still needs to clear another hurdle.

The rookie, who hasn’t pitched in more than a month because of a shoulder impingement, may throw a bullpen session on Wednesday at Citi Field, according to manager Terry Collins, so he can be evaluated by pitching coach Dan Warthen.

“[Matz] is not ready to go real far, so we need to make sure that we’re just not taking a shot in the dark here and starting a guy that we can only get two innings from,” Collins said before the Mets faced the Braves.