Steven Matz has mild shoulder strain, rotator cuff inflammation

New York Mets left-hander Steven Matz has been diagnosed with a mild shoulder strain and rotator cuff inflammation during an examination with team doctors in Manhattan on Monday, according to FanRag Sports.

Matz had been scratched from Friday's start in San Francisco after experiencing shoulder discomfort. He stayed with the team for the remainder of the weekend, then took a redeye flight back to New York on Sunday night, accompanied by a team trainer.

Matz next was scheduled to pitch on Thursday at Busch Stadium against the St. Louis Cardinals. The diagnosis would appear to put his availability in doubt.

Rookie Seth Lugo is the alternative to face the Cardinals on Thursday, manager Terry Collins indicated Sunday.

Matz already has been pitching with a bone spur in his pitching elbow that will need to be surgically removed after the season.