Get ready for a potential controversy in the Big Apple.
The New York Mets announced on Friday that they will skip Matt Harvey’s next turn in the rotation in order to keep his innings down. The pitcher says he is “on board” with the decision.
“The innings are adding up — we have kind of been discussing that the whole time. I told them I was completely on board with whatever they wanted to do. I just kind of preferred it would be sooner rather than later,” Harvey said of the decision, via the New York Post.
Logan Verrett will start Sunday against the Rockies in Harvey’s place.
The Mets entered Friday’s game against Colorado eight games over .500 and leading the NL East by four games over the Nationals. Fans are torn between their desire to do everything possible to win the division and watching out for Harvey’s long-term health interests. Keep in mind that Harvey missed all of last season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, and that he has already pitched 154 innings this season.
The Mets already have a stellar rotation featuring Jacob DeGrom, Harvey, Bartolo Colon, Noah Syndergaard, and Jonathan Niese. They also will be getting Steven Matz back from injury soon. They can probably afford to give Harvey some extra rest, so long as they don’t think it will affect his rhythm.
