Mets Morning News: Steven Matz stumbles again, Chris Flexen will make his debut on the mound

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Steven Matz’s rough stretch continued right from the start against the Padres. Manuel Margot started the scoring with a two-run home run in the first, and the Padres never looked back. Matz was hammered in three innings of work and has not looked sharp since the All-Star break.

Wilmer Flores hit a home run late to cut into the Padres’ lead, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Matz’s fumble.

The Mets look to take the series tonight when Chris Flexen makes his major league debut on the mound.

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Matz had yet another tough outing and he is left wondering how to fix the problem.

Just a few days after Noah Syndergaard backtracked on his offseason workouts, Yoenis Cespedes has now come to the same conclusion and will change his offseason routine.

When Chris Flexen takes the mound against the Padres, he will be the first pitcher since Mike Pelfrey to make the jump from Double-A to the majors.

With the calendar about to flip to August, Amed Rosario’s debut might not be too far behind Flexen’s.

There have been some noteworthy debuts in Mets history that stand out for a variety of reasons.

The trade deadline is just days away and Lucas Duda’s long tenure with the club might be coming to an end.

The Mets have pieces they would like to trade before the deadline passes, but will the market cooperate?

With a lukewarm market, Addison Reed could be offered in a package deal in order to get a greater return.

Jay Bruce is just one of the trade pieces that hasn’t garnered much interest around the league.

Things have not gone well for Dilson Herrera since he was traded to the Reds for Bruce last season. He will undergo season-ending surgery to remove bone spurs from his shoulder.

Neil Walker continued his rehab in Las Vegas as their third baseman.

Despite Tim Tebow’s hot streak in Port St. Lucie, he hasn’t done enough to earn a September call-up with the big league team.

Around the NL East

Aaron Blair was pounded by the Diamondbacks in the Braves’ 10-3 loss. Dansby Swanson will be sent to Triple-A after struggling for most of the season.

The Marlins placed reliever Kyle Barraclough on the disabled list with a shoulder impingement. Miami did not help Yu Darvish’s trade value when they jumped all over the Texas starter in a 22-10 victory.

The Phillies managed to win a game against the Astros behind a strong outing by Aaron Nola. All-Star reliever Pat Neshek was traded after the game to the Rockies in exchange for three prospects.

The Nationals unveiled the logo for the 2018 All-Star Game and the reactions were mixed. Just days after Dusty Baker was hopeful Stephen Strasburg would make his next start, Strasburg will instead head to the DL and prospect Erick Fedde will make the start in his place. The Nationals on the field defeated the Brewers 8-5.

Around the Majors

The Astros will get their ace back on Friday when Dallas Keuchel returns from the DL.

Zach Britton’s injuries have tempered the market on the once-dominant closer.

Astros GM Jeff Luhnow said that the team is not prepared to overpay for starting pitching.

Chris Sale continued his dominance for the Red Sox and put forth another double-digit strikeout performance.

Jose Canseco might have company in the ball-bouncing-off-head department. Minor leaguer Zach Borenstein might have helped a home run with his noggin in a game with the Reno Aces.

Yesterday at AA

Jonathan Maseng covered the Cubs’ interest in Seth Lugo and Robert Gsellman’s rehab assignment.

This Date in Mets History

Gary Carter was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame on this date in 2003. Despite his desire to be inducted as a Met, his plaque features the logo of the Montreal Expos.