New York Mets: Jacob deGrom is back, Matt Harvey knocked around by the Yankees

For the New York Mets, Jacob deGrom has returned but Matt Harvey got hit around the ballpark by the Yankees in his last start.

We are a little bit over two weeks away from the start of the New York Mets 2018 season. Not often is a team so contingent on their pitching staff as this Mets team is, so this serves to be a very interesting season. At least it is potentially an interesting one. With that, we have some pitching news to share. Some of it is good and some of it isn’t.

We shall start with the good news. Jacob deGrom has finally returned. He made his first start of the preseason on Sunday. He showed no ill effects of the back stiffness that slowed the start of his spring. He started the outing with three straight fastballs that measured at least 95 MPH on the way to his first strikeout of the game. He struck out the side in that first inning.

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He struck out one more in the third before leaving the game after 2 2/3 innings. He gave up two runs in the second but especially in an opening start, it’s not about the numbers. It’s about how the pitcher felt and deGrom felt great. They are going to need each and every one of these guys healthy to put in the year they hope to put in and deGrom is no different.

On the other hand, there was Matt Harvey’s outing on Saturday. That did not go as planned. He gave up five runs in 4 2/3 innings, including the first home run of the year to Giancarlo Stanton. I hadn’t heard John Sterling’s call for him yet but to quote him from the past, it was an “A Bomb”.

The length was good as he stretched out to 60 pitches. The velocity on the heat peaked in the mid-90s. It definitely gives rise to the question of whether or not he can ever be the same again after the arm surgeries. It may very well be a big fat “no”.

Could Harvey potentially be the odd man out of the rotation? So far this spring he has pitched to a 5.59 ERA, has allowed 10 hits and three walks in 9 2/3 innings. A 1.34 WHIP is not exactly ideal. Again, a lot is about the “feel” and the mechanics during Spring Training, and Harvey says he is feeling good about where he is.

Personally I just begin to wonder. If Steven Matz continues to turn things around, could he push Harvey out of the rotation? If he is noticeably sharper that Harvey the possibility can’t be discounted. Mickey Callaway and Dave Eiland are going to put the best five in the rotation no matter who they are.

Next: Matz looks good but Smith potentially off to minors

It’s great to have deGrom back, even without the hair. Does anyone else think he actually looks younger? As the oldest of the powerful pitching staff, the Mets need him around for the duration. Seeing him feeling good can’t do anything but make us happy. Harvey needs to get it going. With his injuries he doesn’t seem like a bullpen candidate, so it’s starter or bust.

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