Steven Matz Injury: Updates on Mets SP's Elbow and Return

New York Mets starting pitcher Steven Matz's elbow "flared up," according to Adam Rubin of ESPN.com, and he missed his scheduled start on May 14. However, he has been cleared to return to the lineup.

Continue for updates.

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Matz Active vs. Brewers

Friday, May 20 

The Mets announced that Matz will play against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday.

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Mets Wise to Be Cautious with Matz

The Mets were seemingly being cautious with Matz's elbow. He underwent Tommy John surgery as a prospect back in 2010, which delayed his arrival to the major leagues.

The 24-year-old made his debut last season among the numerous young arms the Mets rotation boasts. In terms of winning, Matz has been the most successful Mets pitcher ever, via Baseball Tonight:

"

Steven Matz is 1st pitcher in Mets history to win 9 of his first 10 MLB decisions. (via @EliasSports) pic.twitter.com/uqrib4ioYX

— Baseball Tonight (@BBTN) May 10, 2016"

After going 4-0 in 2015, during which he helped the Mets win the National League pennant, Matz was hammered in his first start of 2016 against the Miami Marlins, allowing seven earned runs in 1.2 innings.

Since then, he's 5-0 and has given up just four runs while striking out 34 batters in 33 innings. Matz, along with Noah Syndergaard, Jacob deGrom and Matt Harvey, is part of a vaunted pitching staff that ranks among the best in the majors.

But Matz's injury history, which includes a torn lat muscle that kept him out for two months last year, is concerning to a Mets team that prides itself on its young, dominant rotation.

Stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com.