Bartolo Colon was a late scratch from his Monday matinee start at Citi Field. The right-hander flew home to the Dominican Republic to be with his mother, who was extremely ill.
Adriana Colon passed away later Monday at the age of 63 in a private clinic in the northern town of Santiago, according to a statement from the Dominican winter-league team Aguilas Cibaenas.
In April, Colon told ESPN Deportes his mother had been diagnosed with breast cancer.
“It’s a situation where you’re trying to be strong, but you cannot,” Colon said at the time. “Everyone in the family is very worried, hoping the results come out negative. But when you hear the word cancer, you always think the worst.”
Rubber-armed Carlos Torres will make a spot start in Colon’s place, going against Chicago Cubs rookie Kyle Hendricks in the conclusion of a four-game series.
Manager Terry Collins said he expects Torres to pitch four to five innings.
Colon will be added to the bereavement list Tuesday, and the Mets will make a corresponding roster move, possibly to activate Daisuke Matsuzaka from the disabled list.