NEW YORK (AP) — New York Mets right-hander Bartolo Colon has been scratched from his start because he is going to the Dominican Republic to be with his ailing mother.

Manager Terry Collins said reliever Carlos Torres is going to fill in for the 41-year-old Colon against the Chicago Cubs on Monday.

Collins says Colon’s mother is very ill and that the pitcher could be placed on the bereavement list Tuesday.

Daisuke Matsuzaka is a possible option to take Colon’s next start, if needed. Out with elbow inflammation, Matsuzaka pitched six innings Saturday in a rehab start.

Torres faced two batters Sunday and pitched 1 1-3 innings of relief three days ago. He went 4 2-3 innings in relief July 4 and made nine starts last year.

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