Mets right-hander Matt Harvey pronounced himself healthy and ready to go on Wednesday, during a team charity event in New York.
“I obviously don’t have a crystal ball, but the way things are feeling now and how my body feels. I’m feeling great.”
The 2016 season was a very tough one for Harvey as he dealt with the effects of thoracic outlet syndrome. He posted a 4-10 record with a 4.86 ERA in 17 starts, before finally being shutdown to have season-ending surgery in July to remove a rib.
Harvey, 27, explained he is now throwing off of flat ground and is now pitching without any tingling in his arm and fingers, something he was not able to say last year. “I’ve got some warmth back in fingers and no more tingling and ball is coming out really good right now, especially for December.”
“I’m getting my strength back. I’m now long tossing at about 120 feet, tomorrow and Friday it’s going to be about 15 degrees, so I’m not sure I’ll be throwing outside for that one. But things feel great and I’m looking forward to heading down to Florida for some warmer weather and to continue my throwing.”
The coming season will be a very important one for Harvey as he tries to rebuild his stock. He is arbitration eligible and is projected to command about $5.3 million dollars in 2017.
From comments made by his agent Scott Boras last week, and listening to Matt Harvey today, it’s certainly good news for the Mets who are hoping he can return to the dominant form that made him one of the best pitchers in the league in 2015.
