Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Good morning, Mets fans!

The Dark Knight… Returns? I don’t know, something like that.

Matt Harvey will make a start in Citi Field —or against the Mets at all — today for the first time since being designated for assignment by the Mets in 2018.

Harvey’s fall from Mets fans’ graces occurred as he was trying to work his way back into form from thoracic outlet syndrome surgery in 2016. He was never able to return to form — a gargantuan effort following TOS surgery — and was eventually traded to the Reds in exchange for Devin Mesoraco. Since then, he’s made 47 starts (and three bullpen appearances) with meddling results for four teams: the Reds, Angels, Royals and now the Orioles.

Harvey has found his greatest success since 2015 this season, though. He currently has a 3.60 ERA in seven starts with the O’s. He’s yet to throw more than six innings or 90 pitches, but he’s finding ways to get guys out without over-powering stuff. The fact Harvey has been able to return to average after his last five years of work is something worth appreciating.

In his first three seasons as a Met, Harvey amassed a 2.53 ERA and 140 ERA+ through 65 starts. His next two-plus seasons saw injuries settle in (fatigue from Tommy John surgery in 2013, thoracic outlet syndrome, a stress fracture) and the quick rise was contrasted with an equal fall, with 5.78 ERA in his last 36 appearances.

The 32-year-old will surely be welcomed warmly this afternoon by fans, who ought to be over whatever ill feelings they had of Harvey the person–warranted or not (though I’d argue mostly not). Today’s game is an early one with a 12:10 p.m. start, and all due respect to Harvey the person, I hope they pounce on Harvey the pitcher.

Now let’s get into the morning briefing.

Latest Mets News

The Patrick Mazeika lore grew Tuesday night with another walk-off hit — his second in four days — to help beat the Orioles 3-2.

The Mets have now won six games in a row. Dominic Smith had a big hit to tie the game in the sixth, too. Read the recap of the game here.

The Mets officially placed Jacob deGrom on the injured list Tuesday (retroactive to Monday) and called up Sean Reid-Foley. The earliest deGrom can return is May 21 versus the Marlins. You can read why the Mets playing it safe with deGrom is a good idea here.

Sandy Alderson and the Mets said Tom Seaver‘s statue reveal has been pushed to Opening Day 2022. Alderson said they want the statue to be perfect, and the sculpture needs more time to do so.

Baseball America revealed its latest Top 100 Prospects list Tuesday, and three Mets made it onto the list: Francisco Alvarez at No. 40, Ronny Mauricio at No. 57, and newcomer Pete Crow-Armstrong at No. 100.

Mets top pitching prospect Matt Allan did not make the list despite previously being on it due to his upcoming Tommy John surgery.

Latest MLB News

ESPN‘s Jeff Passan reports the Oakland Athletics may move cities if city council members and other local leaders don’t approve their new proposed stadium.

Passan reports that Las Vegas could be a leading city for re-location (a la the Raiders heading to the Sin City). Nashville is also a city that has wanted a baseball team for a couple years now.

This is a classic-but-not-surprising “billionaire owner tries to strong-arm the city to paying for most of a new stadium and the developments around it” move. (See: Marlins, Braves, etc.) The A’s have the backing from Major League Baseball on this, too, who said they are “concerned with the rate of progress on the A’s new ballpark effort” in the city. The team also released a statement to fans essentially saying, “Well, our hands are tied with this one!”

It’s a little hard to see how a new stadium, which presumably would attract more fans, would contribute to success, when said fans may not come to games in a new stadium anyway if the owner doesn’t change its philosophical mindset of getting rid of players the moment they become to expensive or overvalued.

In news from another team dangling a stadium over its fans’ heads, the Rays designated Yoshi Tsutsugo for assignment.

Fernando Tatis Jr. tested positive for COVID-19 and is asymptomatic, according to Dennis Lin.

The Yankees also announced coach Phil Nevin tested positive for COVID. He was fully vaccinated and is the first known case in baseball with a fully vaccinated member testing positive.

The Phillies can open Citizens Bank Ballpark to 100 percent capacity starting June 11.

Recently released Albert Pujols may join the Dominican Republic national team for the upcoming Olympics trials, according to Jon Morosi. Players on active rosters can’t play for the trials, so this would be a nice alternative to joining an MLB team for the legendary (yet aging) first baseman.

Rockies ace Kyle Freeland will pitch a rehab game on Saturday, according to The Athletic‘s Nick Groke.

Righty reliever Jay Flaa joins the Braves’ 40-man roster after they claimed him off waivers Tuesday.

Jordan Zimmermann, who was pitching for the Brewers this season, announced his retirement Tuesday after 13 major-league seasons.

Latest on MMO

Matt Musico looks at what exactly Jeurys Familia has done to improve this season.

Francisco Lindor and Taijuan Walker earned Player of the Week honors from Brian Devine.

Read Rich Sparago’s recollection of the Mets’ acquisition of Willie Mays, who spent his last two seasons with the Mets.

Beyond the Blog

Locked On Mets: On today’s episode, host Ryan Finkelstein talks about the Mets thrilling walk-off victory last night and the contributions of the most unlikely of heroes, Patrick Mazeika.

Ryan also talks about Matt Harvey‘s return to Citi Field, reminiscing on his career with the Mets, where he captured the imagination fans at a time where there wasn’t much else to cheer for.

On This Date in Mets History

Yogi Berra was born on this day in 1925. The late Hall of Fame catcher and Mets manager would have been 96 today.

There are a couple of 1,000ths celebrated in Mets history today.

The first was there 1,000th game was played on May 12, 1968. They had a record of 332-664-4 after 1,000 games. I can’t imagine there are worse records through a franchise’s first 1,000 baseball games than that.

Then there’s Ed Kranepool, who recorded his 1,000th hit on this day in 1974. He’d collect 418 more over the rest of his career and now sits at third all-time in Mets history behind David Wright and José Reyes.

Let’s go Mets!