New York Mets Fearing The Worst With Matt Harvey

By Kenneth Teape | Jul 7, 2016

Jul 4, 2016; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Matt Harvey (33) pitches against the Miami Marlins during the first inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports /

The New York Mets placed starting pitcher Matt Harvey on the 15-day disabled list with a shoulder ailment and are fearing the worst.

The New York Mets placed starting pitcher Matt Harvey on the 15-day DL with shoulder discomfort. After visiting with team doctors, it was recommended that Harvey meet with Dr. Robert Thompson, and he has been sent to St. Louis as a result.

Harvey is scheduled to meet with Thompson today because the Mets fear that Harvey is dealing with thoracic outlet syndrome, which Thompson specializes in. If that is indeed what Harvey is dealing with, it could be a while until we see him back on the mound in a Mets uniform.

Thoracic outlet syndrome is a group of disorders that occur when certain blood vessels or nerves are compressed. This is unfortunately not the first time the Mets have dealt with an issue like this, as Dillon Gee had something similar happen to him in 2012.

That season Gee had to undergo season-ending surgery to repair damage in an artery in his shoulder that had resulted in a 96 percent blockage and a near-full loss of feeling in his arm. The Mets are hoping that is not the case with Harvey and that some rest through the All-Star break will help him, but they will not know for sure until he undergoes more tests today.

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The shoulder injury is the most recent in a year that has seen Harvey battling ailments. In Spring Training he dealt with a blood clot in his bladder that was brought on because of a urinary tract infection. As a result, his already abbreviated Spring Training schedule was thrown off even more.

Harvey struggled again in his last start, lasting only 3 2/3 innings against the Miami Marlins on the Fourth of July, allowing 11 hits and six runs, five of which were earned. He struck out four Marlins and didn’t walk anyone for only the fourth time this season.

“You go through your ups and downs. Unfortunately, this year has been more downs than there are ups,” Harvey said following that start. Harvey was certainly right in saying that, as 2016 has been a disaster for the Dark Knight.

It has been a struggle throughout the entire season for Harvey, who is in his second season since Tommy John surgery. He was strong last season in his first season back, but things have not gone swimmingly this season. Harvey has some ugly stats to look at with a record of 4-10 with an ERA of 4.86 and WHIP of 1.47. His strikeouts are way down and his walks are way up this season as well, with a career-low 7.6 K/9 and 3.04 K/Walk, well below his 4.41 average.

Next: 7 Options To Fix New York Mets' Third Base Situation?

Logan Verrett should step into the starting rotation for Harvey for the time being, taking his start Saturday against the Washington Nationals. Seth Lugo will be promoted from Triple-A Las Vegas to take the roster spot of Harvey.

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