The New York Mets have divulged that Matt Harvey is dealing with some sort of physical issue, won’t pitch for the rest of spring training, and may not be able to go on Opening Day. But they won’t say what the issue is.
It all started on Monday when the team announced that Harvey would have his Monday start pushed back as he was visiting a non-orthopedic doctor.
#Mets announce that Matt Harvey is at a doctor today, but not an orthopedic doctor.
— Adam Rubin (@AdamRubinESPN) March 28, 2016
Speculation began in earnest as to what the issue was and whether it was serious, and the Mets only added fuel to the fire later in the day when they announced that Harvey would not pitch for the remainder of spring training and might not be ready for the team’s opener on April 3.
Matt Harvey will not pitch tomorrow. Opening Day could potentially be in question. Non-disclosed issue right now.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) March 28, 2016
The Mets simply refused to disclose what the ailment is, with manager Terry Collins only going as far as to clarify that it’s not Harvey’s arm.
"His arm is fine," Terry Collins stresses of Matt Harvey. But clearly something's up. Collins called Harvey's ailment "a mystery." #Mets
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) March 28, 2016
Hate speculating, but I've never seen the Mets treat an injury/illness with this much discretion. Makes it seem worrisome even if benign.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) March 28, 2016
According to Mike Puma, a source close to Harvey emphasized that the issue isn’t serious – and no, he wasn’t just hung over from his birthday on Sunday.
Person with knowledge of Harvey's situation says this isn't major.
— Mike Puma (@NYPost_Mets) March 28, 2016
By not major, the person meant something that will necessitate a long lay off.
— Mike Puma (@NYPost_Mets) March 28, 2016
Mets were suspicious at first that Harvey wasn't feeling well the day after his birthday, but now are satisfied it's a different situation.
— Mike Puma (@NYPost_Mets) March 28, 2016
Perhaps the Mets – or Harvey – have good reason for withholding whatever the issue is. If it’s minor, though, what’s to gain? They’ve turned what is allegedly a minor physical issue into a major circus just because of their secrecy. Hopefully whatever it is isn’t serious and Harvey will be good to go on April 3, and hopefully there’s a method to the Mets’ madness on this. If it is serious, though, you can bet Scott Boras will lose it given what happened in 2015.
