SAN FRANCISCO — When a sizable and painful bone spur was discovered in the back of Steven Matz’s throwing elbow in early May, he took a brief break, received a cortisone shot and returned to the mound. Surgery was considered when the discomfort returned in June, but Matz and the Mets decided he would continue pitching as they all tried to manage the problem properly.
Deep into his first full major league season, Matz’s elbow has reacted to pitching and treatment in unexpected ways.
“I’m pretty surprised at how it’s responded, and I’m really happy with it,” said Matz, a left-handed starter who was scheduled to make his next start on Friday against the San Francisco Giants.