Steven Matz' tenure in the Mets' bullpen is over, as he's set to return to his spot in the team's starting rotation on Wednesday against the Twins.
The lefty will reportedly rejoin the starting staff, per Newsday's report on Saturday. Manager Mickey Callaway made the decision to move Matz to the bullpen prior to the All-Star break and at the time the bench boss indicated the move could be short-lived.
"It's going to allow guys in the starting rotation to not have too many days off, so they can stay effective. Coming out of the break, we can reset whatever we need to," Callaway had said.
The report on Matz indicates that he threw a simulated start on Friday.
In Matz' time coming out of the bullpen, he had two very brief appearances. The first was a four-pitching outing to record one out, while the second he did allow three hits, but held the Phillies scoreless in 0.2 innings of work on July 6.
At the time of the decision to move him to the bullpen, Matz expressed his desire to return to his starting spot at some point.
"I'm open to anything," Matz said. "I like starting. It's what I know. It's what I've always done. I enjoy it, but I like pitching, so just whatever I can do to go out there and pitch."
Matz struggled on the mound in the month of June starting, though. The 28-year-old had a 7.36 ERA, walked 13 batters and allowed eight home runs over 29.1 inning of work (six starts). Matz has particularity struggled in the first inning throughout the 2019 season, as he's posted an 11.40 ERA and allowed 27 runs in that frame alone. From innings two to eight combined this year, Matz has allowed 28 runs.