Mets’ Matt Harvey throws 20-pitch bullpen session

After throwing off the mound for the first time since having Tommy John surgery last October, New York Mets’ ace Matt Harvey headed down to the Mets’ training facility in Port St. Lucie, Florida. Tuesday he threw his first bullpen session and the 25-year old right-hander couldn’t be more excited about the results.

Just 10-months after his surgery, which is rather speedy for a recovery process that can often take up to 18-months, Harvey took to the mound to throw his very first bullpen session.

According to the Mets’ website Harvey said,

"“I didn’t think things would feel this good and this easy, but I couldn’t be happier. Excited about moving forward.”"

Harvey didn’t throw anything but fastballs. His mechanics were on point and only one of the 20 pitches was outside the strike zone. Harvey reportedly said that he could tell that his mechanics were off on that one pitch.

It makes a lot of sense for him to throw strikes like that, even in just his second attempt at throwing from the mound. In 2013 Harvey was third in the Majors in allowing the fewest walks with 31 in 178 1/3 innings behind Bartolo Colon (29) and David Price (27). 

This session differed from Friday’s as he was throwing as if he was throwing to a catcher during a game and not just someone standing at the plate. The first session was so he could reacquaint himself with the slope and feel of the mound. Harvey will stay in Florida for the time being to complete three more bullpen sessions before starting to mix in his secondary pitches.

The Mets expect Harvey to finish his pitching program by the end of September and to begin pitching to batters in the Arizona Fall League.

Even though the Mets are unlikely playoff candidates Harvey joked about pitching in the playoffs before his session Friday. He understands that when he returns is not really his decision to make but Harvey, being as stubborn and determined as ever, still has not given up hope to pitch in the Majors in 2014.

"“It’s a long process,” Harvey said. “There’s executives who make those decisions. We’ll see what happens. If things start progressing quicker, we can push the envelope a little bit.”"