Matt Harvey and the New York Mets were at odds over his proposed rehab plan, but it seems like things may be somewhat better now.
Harvey underwent Tommy John surgery on his pitching elbow in October and is setting goals of returning to the team in August, though we’re guessing that is unlikely to happen. Harvey vented to the New York Daily News’ Andy Martino Tuesday about the team’s rehab plans for him and about how the team is censoring him.
The Mets plan to have Harvey rehab at the spring training complex in Port St. Lucie, Florida, while Harvey wants to rehab in New York. Harvey says he wants to be around his teammates and be part of the team, especially since his goal is to return in August.
“I expressed that seven months in Port St. Lucie is a long time,” Harvey told the Daily News. “For me, I strongly felt that my best opportunity, and my motivation to come back quicker, stronger, work harder would be to be with the teammates. That’s kind of what I have always said. I have worked so hard to get to the big leagues and be with this team, it just felt like all of a sudden I was shooed to the back.”
Harvey then complained about how he’s been censored by the team over social media and how he was dissatisfied with his spring training locker.
“It’s just the fact that I have been not allowed to talk to anybody, and that every tweet or Instagram I send is, do not write,” Harvey said. “My locker — me and (Jeremy Hefner, also rehabbing) was basically in a closet. I didn’t think that was right. I don’t know exactly who was in charge of the situation.”
Martino noted that the Mets’ longtime PR director seemed to be unhappy about Harvey’s interview, believing that it was going to cause some problems. Harvey ended up meeting with GM Sandy Alderson after his interview and things seemed to be on a better note after that.
The two sides will come to a mutual agreement on a rehab plan in the next week, and we have a feeling it will be more towards Harvey’s liking.
