Scott Boras, who represents Mets right-hander Matt Harvey, told MLB.com that he expects his client “to be back to 100 percent” by the start of Spring Training.
“You kind of rely on the doctors here, and the doctor was extremely positive about the results of what he found when he did the operation, and the relief that he gave Matt,” Boras said. “It was really just a nerve compression. He didn’t have sensation [in his fingers]. And so clearly, the procedure allowed that relief where the nerve is now free and he should have full feeling in his hand.”
Boras explained that the probability for a full recovery is even better than Tommy John surgery despite the lack of precedent.
“The doctor was very clear,” Boras said. “The doctor’s certainty is that he was able to give a nerve space so it could function normally.”
Of course until Harvey is back on the mound and dealing the way he has in the past, there will be a lot of skeptics who will keep their fingers crossed.
October 10
Following his July 18th surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome, during which one of his ribs was removed, Matt Harvey has finally started throwing again. He posted a picture on Instagram with the caption “Working the mechanics #132DaysTillST17 #LGM”.
Harvey, 27, is 29-28 in his career with a 2.94 ERA and 1.083 WHIP. In 519.2 innings pitched, he has struck out 525 and walked 119.
In 2016, however, his thoracic outlet syndrome affected his ability to throw, often preventing him from feeling the fingers in his right hand whilst pitching. As a result, he went 4-10 with a 4.86 ERA before being shut down after 17 starts.
“I’m doing well, coming along,” Harvey said at an event in New York, according to the New York Daily News. “Rehab’s a little slow, but it’s coming along. I’m doing whatever the doctors say and it’s a little bit slower than I thought, but I’m doing everything I can to get back on the field.”
