Mets Morning News: Matz is injured, Colon is larger than life

Meet the Mets

The team got a well-deserved day off on Thursday following a surprisingly successful west coast swing. Tonight, the Mets will being a three-game set with Arizona before the All-Star break begins on Monday.

That series will not include Steven Matz. The young lefty who was scheduled to pitch Sunday will instead be sidelined for at least three weeks with a partially torn left lat muscle.

The Mets will use either Jon Niese or Bartolo Colon as a starting pitcher on Sunday in place of Matz.

The front office says that the Matz injury is not that big of a deal, but it has been downplaying injuries for a while now.

Want some good injury news? Howie Rose will be back in the broadcast booth tomorrow.

Hitting coach Kevin Long and Lucas Duda are working together to bust the slugger out of his lengthy slump.

Some research by our friend Eno Sarris shows that pitching coach Dan Warthen is teaching New York's young pitchers how to throw a secret weapon.

The New York Times wrote an awesome feature on Colon. Here's the abridged version if you're short on time.

Around the National League East

Jose Fernandez pitched brilliantly on Thursday night to lead the Marlins to a 2-0 win over the Reds. The victory raises Fernandez's career record in home starts to 14-0. He's now just the third pitcher since 1900 to win his first 14 home decisions.

Even better news for Miami: Casey McGehee is expected to return to the team on a major league deal.

Denard Span went to visit a back specialist on Washington's day off and he apparently got good news. That doesn't necessarily mean that the outfielder will avoid the disabled list, though.

The Phillies were dominated by Zack Greinke, and Los Angeles triumphed, 6-0.

Colorado defeated the Braves 5-3 in a game that was delayed by rain for more than two hours.

Around Major League Baseball

Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner was named to the American League All-Star team as a replacement for the injured Alex Gordon.

Gordon is expected to miss eight weeks after injuring his groin on Wednesday night.

A diversity exhibit that coincides with the All-Star Game in Cincinnati will feature openly gay umpire Dale Scott as well as MLB ambassador for inclusion Billy Bean.

Pete Rose continues to be defensive about that time he collided with catcher Ray Fosse during the 1970 All-Star Game.

Jon Bois used a fan survey to create the perfect baseball game.

Bill Murray made fun of Cardinals fans at a golf tournament.

Yesterday at Amazin' Avenue

Chris Gaine wondered if the Mets should make a deal for San Diego's Justin Upton.

Chris also made a case for Jeurys Familia to be voted into the All-Star Game. Go vote for him now.

This date in Mets history

Omar Minaya traded for Jeff Francoeur, and Matt Franco got a game-winning hit off of Mariano Rivera.