Matt Harvey made a surprise start off for the New York Mets on Thursday — one that even caught him off guard.
Harvey allowed six runs over 4.1 innings in a loss to the Braves, as he surrendered five hits and five walks. He did not look like himself, and that could be attributed to the lack of routine he had leading up to the outing.
Harvey started in place of Noah Syndergaard, who was scratched from his scheduled start as a precaution because of biceps tendinitis. Newsday’s Mets reporter Marc Carig says that while the Mets knew about Syndergaard’s issue, they didn’t give Harvey a heads up that there would be a chance he could start Thursday.
Turns out Harvey worked out hard yesterday. Body was tired. Didn’t know he was pitching until 10 am.
— Marc Carig (@MarcCarig) April 27, 2017
Mets knew about Syndergaard's issue. Stunning that Harvey didn't get a head's up throwing today was a possibility.
— Marc Carig (@MarcCarig) April 27, 2017
Injuries happen. Bad stretches happen. But not giving Harvey any idea he might be needed today is an unforced error by the Mets.
— Marc Carig (@MarcCarig) April 27, 2017
If the Mets indeed knew there was a chance that Syndergaard wouldn’t make his start Thursday, they should have given Harvey a notice so he could have prepared properly. As a result of his poor start, Harvey’s ERA for the season jumped from 2.84 to 4.25.
