Just wanted to update this earlier post by alerting you to a fantastic article by Jared Diamond of the Wall Street Journal who writes:
“Even after allowing seven runs in 5 1/3 innings to the Washington Nationals on Tuesday night, Harvey has thrown the ninth-fewest pitches per inning of any pitcher in baseball with at least 26 starts. He tossed 15.1 pitches an inning in 2013, suggesting he has exerted less effort this year than ever. Shouldn’t that count for something?”
“We’ve been very, very protective of Matt, and there should be a correlation in there that we’re not drawing,” Mets pitching coach Dan Warthen said. “We’re just going to innings. I’m fighting the same battle you guys are. He feels great. His arm feels great. He hasn’t been abused.”
This is one of the best takes I’ve read on the matter of Matt Harvey and his innings limit. I would urge you to read the full article here. Great insights by Diamond and packed with some fantastic quotes from Warthen and Sandy. — Joe D.
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According to Mets GM Sandy Alderson, the Mets plan to use Matt Harvey two more times in the regular season. One vs the Yankees next weekend and the other vs the Nationals again on the final weekend of the regular season.
The plan remains subject to change though, based on the Mets position in the NL East standings as well as consultation and agreement with Dr. James Andrews and agent Scott Boras.
Andrews performed Harvey’s Tommy John surgery back in October 2013. The doctor advised the Mets that he does not want Matt to go too long of a stretch of not pitching in a competitive game. Harvey’s next start on Monday will be skipped in favor of Logan Verrett, which makes his next start against the Yankees in the Subway Series games at Citi Field.
“Everything is tentative right now. It’s not tentative on the basis of, ‘Jeez, he’s only got X number of innings left.’ It’s tentative based on what’s in his best interest with a view toward pitching in the playoffs, and what’s in our best interest with a view toward actually getting to the playoffs as well.”
Harvey’s next and last start could come against the Nats in the final regular season series.However if the Mets clinch the NL East prior to that, it could only be an abbreviated outing for Matt, and either way he is still expected to pitch in the playoffs.
The Mets would also like to skip one of Jacob deGrom‘s starts down the stretch if the Mets reach a wide margin in the standings. Also rookie Noah Syndergaard, whose last start was skipped, is being watched carefully as well in terms of his innings limit.
“It’s a constantly changing set of circumstances,” Alderson told reporters on Wednesday. “So you have to have a broad plan in mind, but you have to be prepared to make corrections as well. That’s seeing how guys are pitching, are they ineffective, are they fatigued, are they not fatigued?”
“Obviously we’ve got a bigger picture in mind, but we have to get there first,” Alderson said. “We don’t have the luxury of planning for the playoffs at a time when we haven’t won anything.”
