The New York Mets are in second place in the National League East just 1 ½ games behind the first place Washington Nationals.
However, their effort has not been helped by last year’s pitching ace Matt Harvey. On Tuesday, he was successful in lobbying to make his usual start and faced the Nationals.
Following another poor performance on the mound, Harvey may have used his last chance to work the kinks out while staying in the team’s starting rotation.
Following the game, Harvey left the clubhouse quickly and did not speak to any reporters.
Terry Collins the Mets manager has acknowledged that there needs to be serious consideration given at minimum of temporarily leaving Harvey out of the rotation.
An official with the Mets said it was too premature to know if Harvey would be demoted to the minors, put on the disabled list or reassigned to a role of non-starter at the major league level.
Collins said that he would be discussing Harvey’s situation with Sandy Alderson the team’s general manager and Dan Warthen the pitching coach during the day Wednesday.
The next scheduled start for Harvey is Monday versus the Chicago White Sox at home.
At this point in time, we have to think what is not only best for Matt, but also the team moving forward, said Collins.
Many things must be considered, and that is why the team is not making rash judgments immediately following the game, said Collins after the Tuesday night loss.
Harvey, who is just 3-7, gave up three home runs during his 84 pitches on Tuesday, as his struggles continued.
Harvey convinced officials on the team to give him the opportunity to start on Tuesday despite giving up nine runs, a career high, in just 2 2/3 innings of work, which was a career low last Thursday versus Washington.
Collins cannot figure out what is wrong, calling Harvey too good for something such as this to continue.
Of 90 pitchers in the league to make a minimum of 9 starts thus far this season, Harvey is one of just four to not reach the pitch into the seventh inning.
On Tuesday, the Mets pushed Harvey to throw his fastball harder than during previous starts. Harvey had better velocity than at any other time this season during the early part of the game, reaching 96 mph with one of his fastballs.
His changeup missed in the fourth when he allowed two home runs. Then Collins said he changed his pitching delivery during the fifth when he gave up three more runs.
The club will announce what its plans are for Harvey late Wednesday.
