Steven Matz has bone spur in elbow; Noah Syndergaard says no structure issues

WASHINGTON -- A pair of high-profile New York Mets pitchers have issues with their prized elbows.

The Mets confirmed that Steven Matz is dealing with a bone spur in his left elbow and might miss Wednesday's start against the Washington Nationals. He could undergo in-season surgery if he is unable to effectively pitch through it.

Meanwhile, after Noah Syndergaard underwent an MRI for discomfort in the back of his right elbow last week and was prescribed anti-inflammatory medication, he lasted only three innings in an 11-4 loss to the Washington Nationals on Monday. After the game, he denied a report that he, too, has a bone spur but hopes to delay surgery until after the season.

Asked whether he had a bone spur, Syndergaard said, "I do not. No. My arm feels great. It's amazing what a little anti-inflammatories can do."

Syndergaard also said there are no chips in his elbow.

"There's nothing structurally wrong with my elbow at all," he said. "Sometimes a little wear and tear will do that to you. Right now my arm feels really good. I've just got to be ready to go in five days."

Syndergaard touched 100 mph and insisted he felt no discomfort while allowing five runs on seven hits and three walks in three innings in the start.

"My arm felt really good, actually," he said. "It almost felt too good, actually. The first inning I was a little erratic, felt too strong out there."

Matz underwent an MRI and was examined Monday by team doctors in Manhattan. Medical personnel are confident Matz will do no damage by pitching through the issue and waiting until after the season to potentially remove the spur.

Still, team officials are debating whether to have Matz proceed with Wednesday's start because they are unsure the southpaw can pitch effectively with the issue.

Matz was spotted an 8-0 lead on Friday at Turner Field, then was pulled in the Braves' six-run fifth inning. He could be seen rubbing his elbow repeatedly in the dugout before that ill-fated inning.

General manager Sandy Alderson will be in Washington on Tuesday and will meet with manager Terry Collins to determine whether Matz should pitch this series. The Mets have Logan Verrett available to take the start.

Matz was advised that the issue probably would not calm down with rest alone.

"It's been kind of level," Matz said about the elbow discomfort. "That's why it doesn't get to a point where I feel like I have to come out."

On whether he can pitch through the issue, Matz said, "We haven't made a decision on that yet. I'm going to sit down with them and kind of make a decision on what we're going to do."