New York Mets News: Matt Harvey’s Schedule Going Forward Revealed?
As the New York Mets continue their postseason push, the team has reportedly decided on a course of action to manage ace pitcher Matt Harvey and his innings for the rest of the year, according to USA Today (via Adam Rubin/ESPN).
USA Today: Mets plan to have Matt Harvey to be skipped once after Tuesday, then pitch once, plus again if Mets need him vs. Nats last series
— Adam Rubin (@AdamRubinESPN) September 8, 2015
As for the postseason, USA Today has Matt Harvey making only one start per round, possibly at no more than 60 pitches. — Adam Rubin (@AdamRubinESPN) September 8, 2015
The 26-year-old Harvey has come under heavy scrutiny the past few days as he and agent Scott Boras made an issue over Harvey’s workload for the rest of 2015. Coming off Tommy John surgery, the right-handed pitcher was reportedly advised to not throw more than 180 innings in his first full season since undergoing the procedure.
While Harvey was being monitored closely, his performance and bulldog mentality indicated that he would be there to pitch when his team needed him.
In 25 starts, Harvey owns a 12-7 record with a 2.60 ERA in 166-and-one-third innings. Partnered with other young flamethrowers such as Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, and Steven Matz, the Mets’ pitching appeared to make the Mets a dangerous team in a short postseason series.
Instead of hearing from outside sources, Harvey said he would be there for his team in the postseason in a self-written article for The Players Tribune.
“As an athlete, when your surgeon explains to you the risks of exceeding a certain number of innings, it can be alarming. You listen. I love to play baseball and I love winning even more. I would not give that up for anything. I also know I want to be able to play and win for a long time. But there has never been a doubt in my mind: I will pitch in the playoffs. I will be healthy, active and ready to go.”
While he will pitch in the playoffs, fans and the Mets organization will cross their fingers that Harvey’s 60 allotted pitches will be able to provide distance. In reality, with only 60 pitches, Harvey will likely not be able to provide the Mets with more than five innings. That would require the Mets’ shaky bullpen to get 12 outs.
Despite USA Today‘s report, Mets’ GM Sandy Alderson spoke to Rubin and issued a response to the report.
Sandy Alderson in reaction to report: “Any plans we have for the rest of the regular season are tentative.”
— Adam Rubin (@AdamRubinESPN) September 8, 2015
Sandy Alderson in reaction to report: “We have not spent any time yet on a ‘playoff’ plan. Nothing has been discussed in that regard.” — Adam Rubin (@AdamRubinESPN) September 8, 2015
Harvey is scheduled to take the hill tomorrow evening in Washington D.C. to take on the Nationals. He will oppose right-hander Jordan Zimmerman (12-8, 3.38 ERA) as the Mets look to expand on their five-game lead in the NL East. While no official announcement has been made, fans should expect a severely reduced role from Harvey going forward.
[Image by Greg Fiume/Getty Images]
