Mets place pitcher Bartolo Colon on bereavement list to visit ill mother

New York Mets pitcher Bartolo Colon has been scratched from his scheduled start against the Chicago Cubs on Monday to travel to the Dominican Republic to be with his mother, who is "critically ill."

New York Mets pitcher Bartolo Colon has been scratched from his scheduled start against the Chicago Cubs on Monday to travel to the Dominican Republic to be with his mother, who is "critically ill," the team announced Monday.

Right-hander pitcher Carlos Torres will make the start for the Mets.

The Mets placed Colon on the bereavement list on Monday, according to Dayn Perry of CBSSports.com.

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According to Adam Rubin of ESPN New York, the Mets cannot get an extra pitcher to New York for the day game because the Mets' Triple-A affiliate is currently playing in Omaha, Neb.

Pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka, who is on the disabled list with elbow inflammation, may return to the team early to take Colon's place on the roster, Rubin reports.

Matsuzaka was scheduled to make a rehab start with Class A Brooklyn later this week. On Saturday, Matsuzaka pitched six innings for the Double-A Binghamton Mets.

Colon, 41, is 11-10 with a 3.85 ERA in 24 starts this season.

- Sarah Barshop