Steven Matz: “I’m Where I Need to Be”

Steven Matz threw a simulated game in Port St. Lucie on Thursday and afterwards declared, “I’m where I need to be now.” We’ll find out Friday if the Mets think he is where they need him to be.

According to the Daily News, Matz threw 80 pitches over five innings as he recovers from back stiffness. He hit 96 mph on the radar gun in his first inning, and consistently stayed between 93-95 the rest of the way.

“He was trying to find himself again the first two innings, but the last three innings he had everything working,” his catcher Anthony Recker said. “When he got his rhythm back and his timing back, he had really good movement and he was throwing four pitches really well.”

Matz concurs. “I felt more comfortable as the game went on. I definitely feel like I’m where I need to now.”

Steven Matz said the Mets want to see how he feels on Friday before deciding if he will be on the NLDS roster and start Game 4 — if that game is necessary. If not, Bartolo Colon would get that start and Sean Gilmartin will make the bullpen.