Matt Harvey has been diagnosed with symptoms consistent with thoracic outlet syndrome and is considering season-ending surgery, general manager Sandy Alderson announced at Citi Field.
Harvey is deciding between the two options that doctors in St. Louis presented to him, shoulder surgery or a nerve block injection. If it is surgery, Alderson says it’s about a four month recovery.
Alderson said he is unsure how long Matt Harvey has been pitching with the issue, but that surgery is inevitable in all likelihood.
The team only became aware of Harvey’s shoulder discomfort after his last start. Terry Collins told reporters that after his last start Harvey told him he had no feeling and no energy in his right arm. “His arm just felt like he was dead,” Collins said.
Zack Wheeler is not a realistic option to replace Matt Harvey anytime soon, Alderson added, and they will not have a timetable for his return. He says he is confident but not certain Wheeler will return in 2016.
Collins added on Wheeler that he had a huge setback and there’s no telling if and when he’s coming back. I think he was referring to the earlier setback, but not sure.
The team officially announced that Logan Verrett will make the start against the Washington Nationals on Saturday.
Our best wishes go out to Harvey for a speedy recovery.
Original Report July 6
Matt Harvey has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with right shoulder discomfort, the New York Mets announced.
Harvey has been referred to Dr. Robert Thompson in St. Louis for an examination that will take place on Thursday, the team said. That’s the same doctor that treated Dillon Gee when he had the blood clot in his shoulder.
Update: Reports are now saying that Harvey is being checked for thoracic outlet syndrome or other blood flow disorders, which Dr. Thompson specializes in.
Harvey was in the midst of an up and down season and has a 4.86 ERA and 1.468 WHIP over 92.2 innings this season. He last pitched on July 4, lasting only 3.2 innings against the Miami Marlins who tagged him for six runs (five earned) on 11 hits.
Harvey was scheduled to pitch Saturday against the Washington Nationals.
Mike Puma of the NY Post was told last week that Gabriel Ynoa could get called up from Las Vegas the next time the Mets needed a starter. However, Adam Rubin speculates that Logan Verrett is likely to take Harvey’s scheduled start instead.
For now, Seth Lugo has been recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas to replace Harvey on the roster.
In case you’re wondering, Zack Wheeler is still 3-4 weeks away based on what assistant GM John Ricco said earlier in the week.
