New York Mets: Matt Harvey Moving to the Bullpen
By Phil Akre
Former New York Mets ace Matt Harvey has been a major disappointment in 2018. The 29-year-old is now a member of the Mets’ bullpen for the first time in his career.
New York Mets pitcher Matt Harvey will move to the bullpen for the first time in his tumultuous MLB career. The right-hander has looked lost in three of his first four starts, so the move isn’t a total surprise.
In his three losses, he allowed 14 earned runs in 16 innings of work. When speaking to reporters on the switch, Harvey was clearly unhappy.
"“On a scale of 1 to 10, I obviously am at a 10 with being pissed off,” Harvey said. “My performance hasn’t been there and I have to do whatever I have to do to get back in the starting rotation. Right now it’s go to the bullpen, work on some things to get where I need to be and get my (stuff) in order and figure it out.”"
He’s not wrong, though. He’s performance certainly hasn’t been there this season. Harvey’s ERA currently sits at 6.00 with a 1.429 WHIP.
Harvey has struggled to put away both lefties and righties, as they’re hitting .310 and .295 against him, respectively.
In 2015, when Harvey finished 13-8 with a 2.71 ERA, lefties and righties hit a combined .222 off him.
Rookie skipper Mickey Callaway knows the disgruntled Harvey isn’t happy with the decision.
"“I don’t think he is obviously very happy about it. I wouldn’t say he’s discouraged.,” Callaway said. “I think he’s motivated to go out there and show everybody that he can be a starter again at some point."
It’s been quite the fall from grace for the former Mets’ ace. He’s just two seasons removed from three straight sub-3.00 ERA seasons.
It seems though Harvey was the odd-man out in the rotation with Zack Wheeler sporting a 2.77 ERA and Jason Vargas expected to return from injury soon.
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The Dark Knight hasn’t come close to replicating his early success, and his move to the bullpen is his latest regression. Mets management is hoping he can turn things around after his stint in the ‘pen.