Matz has been scratched from his scheduled Grapefruit League start Monday with elbow discomfort, David Lennon of Newsday reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mets GM Sandy Alderson insisted that Matz isn't dealing with a ligament issue and wouldn't require an MRI, but did note that it was "worrisome" that the left-hander continues to experience recurring injury setbacks. The team is hopeful that by backing off Matz for a few days, he'll be ready to go for the start of the regular season. Even so, Matz still carries plenty of risk as a draft-day investment, given that he previously had a bone spur removed from his elbow last fall. Seth Lugo would presumably be first in line to start if Matz or any of the Mets' other projected rotation members is forced to miss time this season.