Mats threw seven shutout innings, allowing just four hits while walking one and striking out five Wedensday. Matz rebounded from a rough outing to have what has become for him a normal day in the office. With Dillon Gee designated for assignment, the path for Matz to get called up got a bit clearer and easier. The expectation is that his first game in the majors will come sometime before the All-Star break.

The Mets have recently discussed moving Noah Syndergaard to the bullpen and calling up Matz, Mike Puma of the NY Post reports. Syndergaard would be used to set up Jeurys Familia while Matz would slide into Syndergaard's rotation spot. The Mets have struggled to find a bridge to Familia and Syndergaard's high-90s fastball and 'hook from hell,' could fill that spot. This is from a done deal, as both Syndergaard and Matz profile starting pitchers, so view this as an outside possibility for the time being.

Matz may be up shortly before the All-Star break, the NY Post reports. The Mets are also trying to manage Matz's innings to hold around 180-185 and have him pass the expected June 20 Super-2 cutoff for arb-eligibility before he is promoted. In addition, they would have to find a taker for Jon Niese or move him to the bullpen as they did Dillon Gee to make room. Despite all those hurdles, Matz likely should make his major-league debut around the All-Star break. but I would expect him shortly thereafter.

Matz struggled with his stuff Friday, allowing seven hits and four walks in six innings, but allowed just one run. Matz struck out five while lowering his ERA to 1.94 on the year. It's only a matter of time before he gets called up to the majors, as the Mets are looking to deal Jon Niese and Dillon Gee to open a spot for Matz.

Matz has thrown only 77 and 79 pitches his last two starts, as the Mets are intentionally limiting his innings and pitches, possibly to use him a starter later in the season, Mike Puma of the NY Post reports. Matz is clearly next in line to be called up now that Noah Syndergaard is in the rotation. If Jon Niese continues to struggle or Dillon Gee fails to pitch well when he is activated Tuesday, Matz may be promoted sooner rather than later.

Matz, 23, has a 2.24 ERA and 61:20 K:BB ratio through 56.1 innings for Triple-A Las Vegas. Matz now appears to be next in line after the promotion of Noah Syndergaard to the big club. He has vaulted up the prospect charts over the last year or two. Something to bear in mind, though; the Mets are flush with starting pitching right now and could use either Matz or Syndergaard as trade bait to acquire a top-flight hitter should they stay in the playoff hunt.

Noah Syndergaard's experience at Triple-A give him the edge over Matz to be called up the next time the Mets need a spot-starter, Newsday reports. Matz is only on his first year at Triple-A while Syndergaard pitched there last year, giving him an edge, Matz, who tossed six innings, allowing two runs on nine hits, with seven strikeouts and one walk Tuesday, is now 4-1 with a 2.04 era in six starts this season. He has struck out 24 and walked only four in his last 20 innings.

Matz allowed one run on five hits and two walks while striking out 12 in seven innings Thursday for Triple-A Las Vegas. Matz is 3-1 with a 1.84 ERA and 1.091 WHIP in five appearances this season with the 51s, Opponents have a .184 batting average against him while Matz has struck out 31 in 29.1 innings. Matz could get a call up to make a spot start between May 8 and 27 when the Mets have a stretch of 20 games in 20 days.

Matz was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas on Saturday, Newsday's Marc Carig reports. This was in the cards for Matz from the get go, but his strong showing while with the major league team this spring figures to put him near the top of the list of in-season replacement options. Dillon Gee was moved back to the rotation after Zack Wheeler went down with a torn UCL, leaving Matz behind perhaps only Rafael Montero and Noah Syndergaard. Matz gave up just one earned run on three hits and one walk with three strikeouts over six Grapefruit League innings.

Matz is still ticketed to open 2015 in the minors, even with the loss of Zack Wheeler (torn UCL) for the season, ESPN New York reports. Dillon Gee will replace Wheeler in the rotation, which allows Matz to get some experience at Triple-A Las Vegas. In addition, if Matz is down just a few weeks, the Mets get one more year of control. If Matz is down until the summer, the Mets delay his arb clock by one year. Matz is expected to be up sometime this year, the only question is when.