Empire Writes Back
Fansided

Matt Harvey Tentatively Starting for Two More Regular Games

By Sarah Yu

facebooktwitterreddit

New York Mets’ pitcher Matt Harvey may have had a terrible night during the team’s Tuesday game against the Washington Nationals, but in addition to pitching in the playoffs, he’ll be starting for two more regular season games.

Also on Empire Writes Back: Where do the Mets place in our MLB Power Rankings?

The team’s general manager Sandy Alderson announced the possible games that Harvey would be pitching includes the Subway Series against the New York Yankees on Sept. 18-20 and during the last series against the Nationals on Oct. 2-4, according to ESPN.

More from New York Mets

With the Mets’ high chance of making it to the playoffs, after their big series win against the Nationals, Alderson along with the team’s doctor and Harvey’s agent, thinks it’s best to keep him healthy for that and thus the reason it’s all tentative.

“It’s tentative based on what’s in his best interest with a view toward pitching in the playoffs, and what’s in our best interest with a view toward actually getting to the playoffs as well,” Alderson told ESPN.

But even in postseason, Alderson is currently considering limiting Harvey to 60 pitches, but that’s all that is: a consideration. There has yet to be a formal discussion about it with Alderson, Harvey, and his agent.

“When we put this plan together last winter, we really didn’t put any specific plan together with respect to the playoffs,” Alderson said. “It was always, conceptually, he’d be available. But we hadn’t really talked about how we would practically implement that, and we still haven’t.”

It’s smart and realistic to keep Harvey off the field to maintain his health after recovering from the Tommy John surgery that forced him to take a year off from getting on the mound.

No matter how many innings he pitches for the rest of the season and whatever role he plays in the playoffs, it will be crucial for the team and the starting lineup. Harvey does have a significant role and talent to positively contribute to the team, regardless of the bad night he had on Tuesday.

All in all, Harvey is still very young in experience and in age, and preserving his health for the rest of the year and for the years to come is vital in order for him to pursue his career to the fullest and for as long as he can.

In regards to the team’s playoff possibility status and other pitchers, they’re also considering having Jacob deGrom skip a game or two as well, which, again, is to preserve his health to ensure that he’ll be sharp and ready to get on the mound for the playoffs.

Watch the Mets play their next series against the Atlanta Braves from Thursday-Saturday, and be sure to catch Harvey on the mound for the Subway Series against the Yankees next weekend.

Next: Who is the greatest first baseman in franchise history?

More from Empire Writes Back

Home/New York Mets