Matt Harvey reportedly considering season-ending surgery on shoulder
Instead of rising, the Dark Knight may in fact be descending.
According to a report by Anthony DiComo of MLB.com on Thursday, Mets right-hander Matt Harvey has been diagnosed with “symptoms consistent with thoracic outlet syndrome” in his pitching shoulder and is weighing the option of season-ending surgery.
Matt Harvey has been diagnosed with "symptoms consistent with thoracic outlet syndrome" and is considering season-ending surgery. #Mets
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) July 7, 2016
DiComo also reports that Harvey could opt to take a non-surgical route for the time being but that surgery will ultimately be inevitable, per Mets manager Sandy Alderson.
Harvey may opt for a non-surgical injection option. He is currently weighing his options. #Mets
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) July 7, 2016
Surgery ultimately will be inevitable for Harvey, Sandy Alderson says. But he doesn't necessarily have to have it now. #Mets
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) July 7, 2016
Harvey, 27, has noticeably struggled in 2016, going 4-10 with a 4.86 ERA, a 1.47 WHIP, and 76 strikeouts in 17 starts for the Mets. He has lost some velocity on his pitches, his control has been suspect, and he’s not missing as many bats as usual (Harvey’s strikeout rate in 2016 sits at 18.9 percent, down from 24.9 percent in 2015), perhaps due in part to the shoulder pain throwing off his mechanics.
For Harvey, who has been the biggest minus in the Mets’ rotation this year, hopefully he chooses the path that gets him the healthiest in the long-term.
*Stats courtesy of Fangraphs*
