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          New York Mets

          Mets LHP Steven Matz resumes throwing after lat strain

          • Adam Rubin, ESPN Staff WriterAug 3, 2015, 05:37 PM ET
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              Adam Rubin has covered the Mets since 2003. He's a graduate of Mepham High School on Long Island and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He joined ESPNNewYork after spending 10 years at the New York Daily News.
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          MIAMI -- New York Mets rookie left-hander Steven Matz tossed a baseball Monday for the first time since landing on the disabled list retroactive to July 6 with a strained lat muscle.

          Matz threw a baseball on flat ground at 60 feet at the team's complex in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

          Mets manager Terry Collins is eyeing early September for Matz's return to the majors. Because Matz had not picked up a baseball for four weeks, he must throw on flat ground for a while before returning to a mound. Ultimately, he should need at least two rehab starts in the minors before being activated from from the DL.

          Matz's return next month should allow the Mets to spread out the September starts of Matt Harvey, Noah Syndergaard and Jacob deGrom and keep their innings in check so they can contribute in the postseason if the Mets qualify.

          "We'll do the best we can to make sure everybody's OK to pitch," Collins said.

          Matz is 2-0 with a 1.32 ERA and has driven in five runs as a batter through two career starts.

          Also on the rehab front:

          • Michael Cuddyer ran in Port St. Lucie on Monday as he works back from a bone bruise underneath his left kneecap. Cuddyer should be in rehab games within days and could be activated as soon as the weekend series against the Tampa Bay Rays.

          • David Wright (lower back) accompanied the Mets to Miami. He will head to Port St. Lucie on Wednesday and should begin getting eased into minor league games later this week.