Mets scratch Steven Matz due to shoulder stiffness

The Mets had initially listed Matz as Thursday’s starting pitcher

Steven Matz has been scratched from Thursday’s start due to stiffness in his shoulder, Mets manager Terry Collins said on Tuesday.

Matz felt the stiffness while throwing on flat ground earlier Tuesday and his session was shut down.

Jacob deGrom, whose last start was skipped, will start in Matz’ place on Thursday.

Matz was placed on the 15-day disabled list last week, retroactive to Aug. 15, due to shoulder stiffness.

He was initially hopeful he would only miss one start, noting two weeks ago that he wasn’t worried about the issue being a long-term problem.

Matz, who allowed one hit in 7 1/3 innings on Aug. 14 during his last start, is also dealing with a bone spur in his elbow that will be surgically removed after the season.

Collins reiterated on Tuesday that Matz doesn’t have any structural damage in his shoulder, but noted he’s simply not confident enough to pitch right now.

With Matz’ status for the remainder of the season now up in the air, the Mets will likely be featuring a rotation that includes both Seth Lugo and Robert Gsellman for the foreseeable future.

And while Lugo has performed well and Gsellman has been solid, this is less than ideal.

Matz had performed well before the shoulder issue, as he finally figured out how to pitch effectively while dealing with his bone spur.

But if he isn’t confident enough to go out there, the Mets will have to strongly consider shutting him down for the season.

The Mets have been without a number of key lineup cogs for large chunks of the season, but the starting rotation has been hit hard also.

Matt Harvey is out for the season and Zack Wheeler is dealing with another setback. So the dream rotation of those two with Matz, Jacob deGrom, and Noah Syndergaard will not form until 2017.

But even without Harvey and Matz this year, the Mets can still make waves with who they have. It’ll just be a bit harder.