With Opening Night only two days away, New York Mets pitching coach Dan Warthen told Mike Puma of the New York Post that right-hander Matt Harvey is ready to for his start on Sunday against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium.
“His arm feels great,” Warthen said. “The ball is coming out. I thought he got out front a little Wednesday. The velocity is where we want, 94-98 mph, so I think we’re going to be good.”
Harvey has had a rough week after dealing with a blood clot scare, then being mocked by the team’s beat reporters about his condition, and finally refusing to talk to the media in protest after his final spring tuneup on Wednesday.
Harvey has struggled in his last three spring appearances leading to a 7.50 ERA in Grapefruit League play. In 12.0 innings he’s allowed 13 hits including two home runs, and he’s walked nine.
Manager Terry Collins downplayed the results, telling MLB.com, “As you prepare for the season, you don’t really worry about what you’re seeing down here. There are guys that have great springs and guys that have bad springs, and you can’t get caught up in either one.”
After learning that he had been chosen by Collins as the Opening Night starter, Harvey was humbled by the decision.
“It’s a huge honor,” said Harvey. “Looking around the locker room, looking at this corner, obviously Terry could have announced anybody. So for me getting the nod, it’s a huge honor. It’s all about how we start and come out. I definitely feel, a year after surgery, I’m definitely 100 percent and happy about the honor and definitely ready for the battle.”
“I think it’s going to be a great atmosphere, obviously, going to Kansas City. Playing against them, it’s going to bring back a lot of memories, but it’s also going to bring back a lot of fire.”
