NEW YORK -- New York Mets left-hander Steven Matz underwent surgery Tuesday to remove what was labeled a "massive" bone spur from his pitching elbow. He is expected to fully recover by spring training.
Team doctor David Altchek performed the procedure at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan.
Matz had been diagnosed with the bone spur during the summer, but he continued to pitch through the issue. He ultimately was placed on the disabled list after an Aug. 14 start because of a shoulder impingement that was irritating the rotator cuff.
When it was clear that the shoulder injury would not allow Matz to return this season, the southpaw resolved to undergo the elbow procedure. Matz also had a platelet-rich-plasma injection in his left shoulder Tuesday, but he will not require surgery to address the impingement.
The Mets' rotation has been decimated by injuries this season, yet the team qualified for Wednesday's wild-card game against the San Francisco Giants thanks to contributions from rookies Seth Lugo and Robert Gsellman.
Matt Harvey underwent surgery in July to remove a rib and alleviate thoracic outlet syndrome. Jacob deGrom underwent surgery last month to move the ulnar nerve in his pitching elbow. And Zack Wheeler was unable to return this season from Tommy John surgery, which was performed in March 2015.
