The hits keep coming for the New York Mets’ pitching rotation. Steven Matz is the latest member of the staff to be lost for the year, as the team announced the left-hander will undergo season-ending surgery to remove a bone spur from his elbow.

While the injury is a significant loss for New York, it wasn’t entirely unexpected. Matz had not pitched since Aug. 14 due to a left shoulder impingement. He attempted to work his way back, but was shut down again after experiencing soreness in late September. Though the Mets did not provide a timetable for Matz’s return following the setback, it was assumed by many he would be able to come back in time for the playoffs.

Arm surgery is never a positive for a pitcher, but the news could have been much worse. Matz’s surgery will involve the removal of a bone spur in his elbow. The 25-year-old was going to take care of that issue once the season ended, so the team just moved up the procedure by a couple weeks.

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As of right now, it looks like Matz will avoid surgery on his ailing shoulder. That’s a good thing, as shoulder injuries are considered far more dangerous for pitchers.

With Matz now officially sidelined for the rest of the year, the Mets will have to rely on a severely diminished rotation as they race toward October. The club currently holds the top wild card spot in the National League by a half game with just six left to play.

Should New York make it to the postseason, they would have to rely on some combination of Noah Syndergaard, Bartolo Colon and either Robert Gsellman or Seth Lugo in a short playoff series. While Syndergaard has performed well this season, it’s worth noting he’s also pitching through a bone spur in his elbow.

Coming into the season, the Mets vaunted pitching rotation was the team’s biggest strength. Though injuries may not prevent the club from making it to October, the team’s now surprisingly thin staff will be a major question mark should they reach the postseason.

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Chris Cwik is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at christophercwik@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Chris_Cwik