Steven Matz will not make the Mets’ Opening Day roster

According to a flurry of tweets from beat reporters, Steven Matz will not be on the Mets’ Opening Day roster due to elbow soreness. Matz, who had an MRI earlier today, will not be ready for the start of the season regardless of what his MRI results are. Matz was scratched from a start earlier this week due to elbow discomfort and, despite throwing two days in a row, will not be taking (at least) his first turn through the rotation.

Terry Collins mentioned Seth Lugo, Rafael Montero, and Zack Wheeler as potential replacements for the starting spot. Montero, a surprising bullpen appointee, was once considered one of the Mets’ best pitching prospects, but has slipped considerably in the team’s—and everyone else’s—eyes over the past two seasons.

Wheeler, who has been on the shelf since his 2015 Tommy John surgery, is on an innings limit this year, and was likely earmarked to begin the season in extended spring training before the Matz news broke. Lugo, who had an impressive showing in the World Baseball Classic with the Puerto Rican squad, as well as a solid 2016, seems to be the most likely to join the rotation, as he has both the most recent success and the fewest question marks going into the season.