In an expected move, Matt Harvey has opted for surgery to remedy his Thoracic Outlet Syndrome symptoms, agent Scott Boras tells ESPN.
The procedure will be performed in St. Louis by TOS specialist Robert Thompson, who also operated on former Met Dillon Gee to remove a blood clot in his shoulder.
“The doctors clearly recommended that he have this done, mainly so that he can be ready for ’17,” Boras said. “The rehab on this is six months. Now, if there was a small window of a season, you might be able to take a shot. It’s actually Botox, which relaxes the muscles. That’s not a long-term solution.”
General manager Sandy Alderson told reporters on Thursday that Harvey was deciding between the two options that doctors in St. Louis presented to him, the shoulder surgery or a nerve block injection. But cautioned surgery would be needed eventually.
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. “I don’t want to sound like woe is me, but woe is us.”
Boras said that Harvey has had trouble commanding the baseball due to loss of feeling in his fingertips since Spring Training.
“He just didn’t feel he had the command and feeling,” Boras said. “He just didn’t really feel he was himself mechanically. He couldn’t stay behind the ball. …He’s felt this way since spring training, but he wanted to gut it out, try to do it, until finally he’s going, ‘Look, I’m just feeling like I don’t feel the baseball the same.’ Once we heard that, I was like, ‘Maybe we have a TOS situation,’ and got him over to Dr. Thompson.”
This probably explains why the former Mets ace struggled mightily this year, losing 10 games while posting a career worst 4.86 ERA and 1.47 WHIP. Harvey has also struggled with his command, posting a career high walk rate and career low strikeout rate.
Harvey’s absence will likely create an opportunity for Logan Verrett or Sean Gilmartin in the immediate future, or force General Manager Sandy Alderson to make a trade.
Just another rough day in Metsville…
