Steven Matz's Elbow Injury Will Keep Him off Mets' Opening Day Roster

New York Mets starter Steven Matz will not be on the team's Opening Day roster due to lingering issues with his pitching elbow.

Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reported Matz will undergo an MRI on his elbow Wednesday and will not be available for the start of the season regardless of its result. The 25-year-old had surgery in September for a bone spur in his elbow and has been building strength in his arm throughout spring training.

The Mets scratched Matz from a scheduled spring start Monday due to irritation in the elbow. 

"There's a little irritation, and he's got to work that out," Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said Sunday, per the Associated Press (via ESPN.com). "We don't think it's anything significant, but it bothers him on extension. He won't pitch tomorrow, and we'll see where that takes him over the next four or five days."

Matz went 9-8 with a 3.40 ERA and 1.21 WHIP last season. He was mostly solid during his time in the majors but was kept on a limited pitch count in starts due to his injury history. Before the elbow injury last season, he also went on the disabled list with shoulder problems.

In 2010, Matz underwent Tommy John surgery that kept him out for the better part of two years. The Mets will likely continue being as cautious as possible with him going forward given his history. That said, his injury limits his upside as a potential stud in the back half of their rotation.