It’s 21 degrees here in New York, and as I look out my window I see gray skies, freezing rain, and an inch of ice is covering everything. But down in Port St. Lucie the sun is shining, the weather is gorgeous, and the Mets are getting ready for a new baseball season!.
Matt Harvey arrived to camp today and spoke to reporters after performing various running and agility drills and taking part in a round of fielding practice with his teammates.
According to Adam Rubin he expects to throw a bullpen session in the next few days, but isn’t sure when he’ll face hitters. Harvey also would like to face hitters relatively soon, but Mets officials said he won’t do that until March.
“Whatever they decide, obviously that’s what we’re going to go with and we’ll see what happens throughout spring training,” Harvey said.
“My goal is to be ready for opening day and regardless of what’s decided as far as starting roster, that’s not up to me. As far as that goes, I meant being healthy for the start of the season as far as being able to play. As of now I feel great and right where I want to be to be ready for that.”
Rubin adds that Harvey is confident he’ll be able to regain the form he had in 2013, when he went 9-5 with a 2.27 ERA, struck out 191 batters in 178.1 innings and was the National League starter in the All-Star game.
“My mindset’s the same,” he said. “I’m going attack hitters the way I always do. It’s not like I’ve missed pitching for that long. I’ve pitched my whole life. Getting back and being down here in spring training and facing hitters is a huge plus and very exciting for me. As far as that mindset goes, it’s going to stay the same.”
Donning the new Mets alternate cap for 2015, Harvey showed up brimming with confidence and from what we’re hearing the rest of the team is feeding off of it. He’s become a beacon of hope and excitement not just for fans but for his teammates as well.
Seeing some of the video clips of Harvey, Jacob deGrom and Zack Wheeler working out side by side this morning gave me goosebumps. It’s going to be amazing watching them perform together for the first time ever in the same starting rotation.
One last note… Jared Diamond says attendance is pretty high at Tradition Field, especially with 10 days remaining until pitchers and catchers are required to report. A lot of early arrivals. #WheresTerry 🙂
Among those in camp are Zack Wheeler, Jacob deGrom, Travis d’Arnaud, Lucas Duda, Josh Edgin, and Eric Campbell.
(Photos by Daily News, NY Post, Mets.com)
