Mets to call up left-handed pitcher Steven Matz from Triple-A Las Vegas

The time has finally come for to Steven Matz to make his major league debut after months of clamor and speculation. Currently the Mets’ top prospect, Matz is expected to join the team as early as this weekend as manager Terry Collins will yet again dabble with a six-man rotation.

The 24-year-old lefty has dominated throughout his time in the Mets’ farm system and has been primed for a promotion for some time now. Despite suffering a slew of arm injuries, the most significant of which required Tommy John surgery in 2011, Matz has bounced back and then some.

Quickly making his way through the ranks of the minor leagues, Matz began 2015 for Triple-A Las Vegas and has shined at the highest level under the majors. Leading the Pacific Coast League with seven wins and a 2.19 ERA, Matz has posted 94 strikeouts and just 31 walks in 90.1 innings this season while his opponents are batting a mere .213. Though Matz’s impending major league debut has been anticipated since before the start of the regular season, no timetable was set for an official date of arrival. However, Dillon Gee’s recent demotion was certainly a strong precursor to Matz’s imminent promotion.

Joining Matt Harvey, Jacob deGrom, Zack Wheeler, and most recently Noah Syndergaard, Matz becomes the latest Mets’ pitching phenom to arrive at the big league level. A lefty arm to accompany fellow southpaw Jonathon Niese in the six-man rotation, Matz’s performance early on could determine the longevity of his first stay in the Big Apple. Although Terry Collins’s initial attempt at elongating his starting pitching schedule was unsuccessful, Matz may be the jolt the Mets need to get back on track as the offense continues to struggle behind strong performances from young, talented arms.