If the Mets were looking for a sign Steven Matz can pitch effectively with a bone spur in his left elbow, they received it Tuesday night.
In his sharpest performance in five weeks, the rookie limited the Marlins to two runs on six hits over seven innings in the Mets’ 5-2 loss to the Marlins at Citi Field.
“It was the best I have felt command-wise in awhile,” said Matz, whose only mistake was surrendering a two-run homer to Giancarlo Stanton in the seventh.
The Mets revealed last week that Matz recently has been pitching through discomfort caused by a bone spur. The lefty will continue to take anti-inflammatories before he pitches, with the hope of avoiding season-ending surgery on the elbow.
“I don’t think he is feeling anything right now,” manager Terry Collins said. “It will flare up and then there’s days it doesn’t bother him at all. Today he felt great and he showed that.”
Matz said he’s been monitoring his workload between starts to keep his elbow rested.
The seven-inning appearance was Matz’s longest since lasting eight against the Nationals on May 25.
Travis d’Arnaud had hinted all along he would surrender his No. 7 to Jose Reyes, and Tuesday the transaction occurred.
Reyes, upon arriving from Double-A Binghamton, received the uniform number he wore during his first Mets tenure, with d’Arnaud switching to No. 18.
“[Reyes] really loves this number and he’s got a lot more time in right now than I do,” d’Arnaud said before the Mets faced the Marlins.
Reyes told The Post he plans to show his appreciation by presenting d’Arnaud with a gift later in the week.
D’Arnaud said he selected 18 as his new number as a tribute to Peyton Manning. Previously, d’Arnaud wore No. 15 with the Mets. But before last season, he switched numbers with former Mets bench coach Bob Geren, who had No. 7.
If Alejandro De Aza has nine lives, he may have already used eight of them, but he remains on the roster: Matt Reynolds was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas to clear space for Reyes.
De Aza entered play batting only .162, but is also earning $5.75 million this season. He pinch hit in the eighth inning and smashed his second home run of the season.
Collins said it was difficult demoting Reynolds, who thrived in a bench role.
“[Reynolds] played very well, but we just don’t have enough spots,” Collins said. “So he was the guy that we thought he’s got to go play so when he comes back he’s ready to resume what he did when he got here.”
Jim Henderson, on a rehab assignment with Binghamton as he works his way back from a shoulder injury, got hit hard. In his third appearance since Saturday, Henderson gave up four runs on four hits and a walk. In 2 ²/₃ innings, he’s given up eight earned runs on six hits and five walks.
David Wright was transferred to the 60-day disabled list to clear space on the 40-man roster for Reyes.
Collins said he plans to take his entire coaching staff with him to serve as coaches for the NL All-Star team in San Diego next week.