After a rough first spring start, Matt Harvey bounced back yesterday, allowing just one run over three innings in a 7-6 loss to the Astros.
Harvey gave up just two hits to the Astros, one of them being a third-inning solo homer to Reid Brignac. He also walked a batter and struck out two.
Perhaps more important than any of that is Harvey’s velocity, which was between 92 and 94 miles per hour. He told reporters that while his velocity is not quite there yet, he believes “it’s only a matter of time.” He said he is getting through his routine without problems or unusual soreness.
Harvey, of course, saw his season cut short last year, when he had surgery to fix Thoracic Outlet Syndrome in his throwing shoulder. In 17 starts, he pitched to a 4.86 ERA, more than two runs higher than his previous career-worst. He was unable to go deep into games, did not have full command of his pitches, and was giving up over ten hits per nine innings. It was pretty clear that something was wrong.
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome is a much less straightforward injury to deal with than Harvey’s torn UCL was a few years ago. There haven’t been all that many pitchers who’ve had this, and the outlook has been pretty bleak.
The results from this injury have been mixed, but it generally means lower velocity and decreased command, although there have been exceptions to both of these rules. For Harvey, while approaching his previous velocity will be helpful, he certainly has the wits and the secondary pitches to find success throwing in the low-90s.
The next few weeks will be critical in determining what type of pitcher Harvey will be going forward. Will be have to change? Will he be able to add some of that lost velocity?
More so than any other pitcher, Harvey is the guy to watch over the next few weeks. While the Mets are a playoff contender no matter what shape he is in, Harvey’s condition could be the difference between a Wild Card team that squeaks into October and one that makes a deep postseason run.
