|
Adam Rubin:
Left-hander Steve Matz, the Mets' top pick in the 2009 draft (second round/72nd overall) out of Ward Melville High School on Long Island, underwent Tommy John elbow surgery on Tuesday at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, agent Rob Martin of ICON Sports confirmed.
The 18-year-old Matz's elbow flared up while working last week in extended spring training, Mets minor league field coordinator Terry Collins said.
"The benefit of Steve being young, he still could be in high school now," Martin told ESPNNewYork.com. "He's very young for his age."
Martin said he expects Matz to return as strong, if not stronger. He was throwing 95-96 mph pre-surgery, the agent said.
The 6-foot-4, 195-pound Matz signed last Aug. 17 for $895,000 -- more than the $506,700 guideline for slotting by the commissioner's office.
Newsday reported the need for elbow surgery earlier Tuesday.
Pretty much came out of nowhere too, although I suppose that's what happens when a guy hasn't even reached the radar screen yet. Second time in the last 5 years that a 1st round pick needed TJ almost right out of the gate (Humber in 2004).
And, yeah, you can say that he wasn't all that close to helping at the big league level and talk optimistically about how they sometimes come back just as strong ... but sometimes they don't too and it's at least a years set-back.
| 
