Yet another reinforcement appears close to a return in Queens.

New York Mets manager Terry Collins revealed Sunday that left-hander Steven Matz could return this week from the shoulder impingement that's kept him out for over a month.

"I think tomorrow when he shows up, we'll know more," Collins told reporters before Sunday's victory over the Minnesota Twins. "But we certainly hope that this week he's up here with an opportunity to pitch."

Collins didn't specify an exact date for Matz's return, though he noted the 25-year-old will be given specific limits upon rejoining the club.

"We have no plans yet. Nothing's written. Steven Matz's name certainly will be in the mix," Collins said. "But Steven, when he gets here, is going to be a guy with a limit in workload that he has. So to get him built up and get him where we want, I am not sure we have the starts available."

Matz sustained his injury around the same time as fellow starter Jacob deGrom, both going down in the middle of August. While deGrom's season is likely finished, Matz - if healthy - should play a critical role in October for the surging Mets, who moved into a tie for the National League wild card with San Francisco.

His return would also be welcomed by a pitching staff that's lost more than just deGrom this year. What started as a vaunted, young rotation with World Series experience, has dwindled thanks to a myriad of injuries; the starting staff now consists of ace Noah Syndergaard, veteran Bartolo Colon, and young fill-ins Robert Gsellman and Seth Lugo.

Matz posted a 3.40 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, and 129 strikeouts in 22 starts this season before getting hurt.