CHICAGO -- Daisuke Matsuzaka's shaky return to the rotation will not prompt the Mets to turn elsewhere for a starting pitcher in Dillon Gee's absence.
Terry Collins said the Mets will stick with Matsuzaka, who was charged with four runs on four hits and five walks in 4 1/3 innings in a no-decision Wednesday at Wrigley Field. The final two runs charged to him scored when Dana Eveland surrendered a two-run single to Starlin Castro. The Mets ultimately lost, 5-4.
"Overall, I didn't have my best stuff today," Matsuzaka said through an interpreter. "I ended up being a little too careful with all of my pitches, which led to a lot of balls. I believe I prepared well going into this start after being told, but once I got into the game I just wasn't able to do it in the game."
Matsuzaka had taken over for demoted Rafael Montero in the rotation. Gee (lat strain) will not be back for a while. He has not even picked up a baseball in 10 days.
"That's not the Daisuke we've been seeing," Collins said about Wednesday's performance. "The base on balls and falling behind in the count is stuff that he has not been doing. It cost him tonight. He put himself in some tough situations. He hasn't started consistently. ... I know last year when [pitching coach] Dan [Warthen] sped his tempo up he pitched better. So certainly that will be discussed."