Mets injury update: Steven Matz set to begin rehab assignment on Saturday

The Mets seem to be getting healthier at just the right time, as another one of their key players is set to begin a rehab assignment. Lefty Steven Matz is tentatively set to pitch for the St. Lucie Mets on Saturday, and if all goes well, he could return to the big league club around September 1. The 24-year old lefty, who has been on the disabled list for a little over a month due to a partially torn lat muscle, would appear to provide another option for a starting rotation that has three key cogs closing in on innings limits.

While Matz would seem likely to be inserted into the Mets' rotation, reports this afternoon say that Matz will only throw 25 pitches in his rehab outing on Saturday. What that means for his status upon his return to the club is uncertain, but Sandy Alderson acknowledged the possibility of a modified six-man rotation, which could help the team get through the stretch drive.

In two starts with the Mets, Matz performed well with a 1.32 ERA along with 14 strikeouts and 5 walks allowed. The East Setauket, New York native also put on a show at the plate in his debut, going 3-for-3 with a double and four runs batted in.