While many MLB players were working out on their own in self-isolation, Steven Matz was part of a cohort of major leaguers down in Nashville. Having that camaraderie and competition around him throughout the quarantined months, Matz has entered summer camp extremely confident.

Speaking with reporters on a Zoom call Wednesday, Matz explained how his work in Nashville has resulted in a better feel of his pitches, which was on full display during a sim game the other day at Citi Field.

“We had a pretty good group in Nashville,” he said. “Bunch of guys were able to get a lot of work in once stuff started opening up a little bit, so actually redeemed the time a little bit and was able to work on a lot of stuff. The ball just felt like it was coming out of my hand really good and everything was really crisp.”

The group Matz was working with included teammate Brad Brach, Lance Lynn, James McCann, Logan Forsythe, Jacob Stallings, Phil Gosselin and Andrew Triggs among others. Matz pointed out McCann in particular, as he caught most of his bullpens.

And during those sessions, Matz said he was “messing around with different grips on different pitches and throwing a slower curveball and a harder curveball.” The results were very positive, especially while throwing to live hitters.

“I think that’s the main word: the feel,” Matz said about what’s improved for him. “The feel of everything and consistency of stuff. …I was throwing to hitters once a week for four innings or so, so I was able to tinker with a couple grips.”

All that preparation for this upcoming season impressed manager Luis Rojas after he watched him pitch.

“I think he’s done a good job as far as focus,” Rojas said about Matz. “I think it was early innings I had different conversations with different guys about the early innings with him and how he finds his groove, finds his rhythm. I think that’s something he’s done a good job – I think in the first camp he showed it back in March. So he looked really good the other day. All his pitches were clicking, [and] at the same time, he was poised.”

With Noah Syndergaard lost for the season, the Mets are hoping that Matz can be a solid middle-of-the-rotation pitcher through these 60 games. Hopefully all that preparation, starting in spring training and ending in Nashville, will lead to a more effective and consistent No. 32 this season.

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