Anthony Causi/New York Daily News
The last time Mets fans celebrated “Harvey Day”, as Matt Harvey’s starts had been dubbed, was August 24 of 2013. That day he took on Max Scherzer and the Detroit Tigers and pitched 6.2 innings while getting pounded for 13 hits. Two months later, Harvey found himself on the operating table undergoing the infamous Tommy John surgery, performed by Dr. James Andrews. The small incision on his right arm would sideline him for all of the 2014 season.
Now, poised to make an astounding recovery, Harvey will finally pitch in a live game once again, when the Mets play host to that same Tigers team on March 6 in Port St. Lucie. The game will be the first home game on the Mets Spring Training schedule, and will be televised locally on SNY.
“I have a goal out there,” Harvey told Curt Schilling of ESPN on Thursday,”and that’s to absolutely dominate the game. Not just win the game, but if I can go out there and I know once I’m done and I’m sitting on the bench, and I know I dominated that game, and I made somebody unhappy, that’s what I work for.”
Harvey has been vocal throughout the rehab process, not once shying away from explaining his frustration with being kept from baseball activities past the estimated recovery date. The Mets could sure use some of that grit in their rotation this season.
The 25-year-old has a 12-10 career record with a 2.39 ERA and 261 strikeouts. His 0.93 WHIP in 2013 was second in the major leagues behind Clayton Kershaw’s 0.92. Harvey also received the start in the 2013 All Star Game, played in his home stadium of Citi Field.
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