Mets expected to promote Steven Matz around early July

Mets pitching prospect Steven Matz is expected to be promoted to the majors around July 1, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post. When Matz is promoted, he will likely serve as a spot-starter. If he pitches well in that role, Jonathon Niese would then be sent to the bullpen and take over spot-starting duties to make room for Matz.

This news comes in light of Matz's recent dominance in Triple-A and Dillon Gee's designation for assignment. The Stony Brook, NY native has gone 6-4 with a 2.30 ERA in Las Vegas this season and with Gee now out of the fold, it appears that Matz's promotion is imminent. Previous indications were that Matz's Mets debut was coming in the next few weeks, so this news is consistent with those earlier reports.

Mets General Manager Sandy Alderson acknowledged today that Gee's departure means that Matz will likely be with the major league club soon, but put no timetable on a possible promotion. When asked about the subject in his press conference today, Terry Collins said that promoting Steven Matz is "not his call."