The still-brewing shutdown controversy between Matt Harvey and the Mets still has an uncertain conclusion, but there are plenty of incremental updates to share. Noted Tommy John expert Neal ElAttrache, who is said to have consulted with agent Scott Boras on Harvey, spoke about the matter with Tyler Kepner of the New York Times. He explained that there could be a reasonable path for Harvey to throw in the postseason by “spacing out his starts and keeping his arm live, using him if necessary in September to keep him competitive and save some bullets for the postseason.” But ElAttrache also noted that even 180 innings pitched “does start to raise some flags, because now he’s in no man’s land” in comparison to past pitchers recovering from a TJ procedure. Boras, meanwhile, said that both the team and the player want him to continue throwing, and that his concern “is that the medical experts are involved in the process of determining what Matt Harvey can do.”
Here’s more on Harvey and some other injury situations around the game:
- It remains unclear where things will go from here, but one Mets official indicated to ESPNNewYork.com’s Adam Rubin that the team strongly expects to utilize its righty in October (Twitter link). Mike Puma of the New York Post adds on Twitter that Harvey “didn’t anticipate the backlash” and “might have a few second thoughts about his comments” from yesterday. Meanwhile, Ken Davidoff of the New York Post and ESPN.com’s Buster Olney (Insider link) are among those who have suggested that the current situation could — and, perhaps, should — provide impetus for the team to trade Harvey over the coming winter.
- Marlins star outfielder Giancarlo Stanton acknowledges that there’s a chance he won’t return this year, Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald reports. Stanton, who is still trying to work back from a broken hamate bone, is still holding out hopes of a return, and at worst should certainly be at full speed next spring.
- Dustin Pedroia of the Red Sox, meanwhile, could play as soon as Tuesday, Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe reports on Twitter. The veteran second baseman has been working back from a hamstring injury.
- Giants outfielder Nori Aoki is dealing with recurring concussion symptoms that could jeopardize his season, Andrew Baggarly of the Mercury News reports. The 33-year-old, who owns a .287/.353/.380 slash and 14 steals over 392 plate appearances on the year, has struggled to remain healthy and productive in the second half. He can be controlled through a $5.5MM club option next year, which looks to be an appealing price tag so long as he is able to recover from the injury.
- The Giants are also going to be without promising young catcher Andrew Susac the rest of the way, John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reports (Twitter links). Susac, 25, has suffered ligament damage to his wrist which will also cost him a chance to play winter ball, though it seems he should be ready for Spring Training. It’s another blow to San Francisco’s depth as the club struggles to remain in the hunt down the stretch. Susac has seen his name come up as an acquisition target for other clubs, particularly given the presence of Buster Posey behind the dish for the Giants. The injury could take him out of such consideration for at least some time, though the team’s level of interest in dealing him has never been clear. Fellow backstop Jackson Williams has had his contract purchased, with Susac hitting the 60-day DL to clear 40-man space.
- Fellow Giants backstop Hector Sanchez may also be out of action until 2016, as Shea tweets. The 25-year-old Sanchez has an injured ankle and hamstring.
- The outlook for Astros righty Scott Feldman “doesn’t seem good,” according to Evan Drellich of the Houston Chronicle (via Twitter). The 32-year-old is dealing with right shoulder inflammation, and while a recent MRI revealed no structural damage, it seems that his throwing session yesterday did not go well. Fortunately for Houston, the club has a variety of rotation options to fill in, though it certainly hurts to lose another solid arm. Houston has Feldman under contract for one more season after this one at a $8MM salary.
Maybe Harvey moves to the Pen and they can go with DeGrom, Thor, Niese and Matz as the playoff rotation? Someone has to go to the pen, might as well make it the guy complaining about his innings.
Rely on Steven Matz, who currently has 2 big league starts under his belt, to start in the playoffs? No, Matt Harvey is going to have to start in the postseason or risk facing the massive PR hit from the rabid Mets’ fanbase. This is their first postseason in forever; fans won’t take too kindly to Harvey not starting because of some arbitrary innings limit.
It’s unclear why Matz would be any worse than Niese or Colón based on his performance so far. Check out his numbers and game videos again.
What a joke. At what point has he complained? He’s wanting to be healthy, to have a phenomenal career, he’s not out there crying. He’s still a bulldog, he wants to pitch but he’s not stupid. TJ isn’t plain and simple snap another ligament in and good to go. The layoff can change arm and muscle memory/movement leading to other shoulder and elbow related issues. Saying he is complaining is laughable, you’re blaming a guy for wanting to be healthy and competitive while not throwing it all away this year. Sure, I’d love to see him pitch, but space him out. They have a cushion lead, let him rest, stay active, don’t use him every 5 days for a pointless win, they have a few series coming up with horrid teams. Rest him.
I’d probably rather go with Colon than Matz. He’s been a little inconsistent, but on starts with only 4 days rest he’s been excellent this year.
I’m not so sure about that. Matz has far more talent than Niese and Colón despite lesser experience.
The doctors say no to him relieving.
He’s not in No Man’s Land, holy crap. Adam Wainwright came back after TJS and pitched 220something including the playoffs. And did it three years in a row while being a few years older than Harvey.
Skip him a start once the division is wrapped up. Realistically he’ll get 2 more full starts the rest of the season, if the lead is good take him out after the 6th and he’ll be at 190 something. That’s plenty to get him through a potential 4 playoff starts in October if they go to the World Series and you use him as the Game 3 NLDS and Game 4 NLCS starter and maybe throw him twice in the World Series.
Even with 8IP/G in the entire playoff run (which hey, you never know if you’re even going to get out of the division series, it’s not like the Cubs or Pirates or Dodgers are pushovers this year) you’re gonna end him up with maybe around 210-220 which has been done before by an elite pitcher.
More likely, the Mets don’t beat the Cardinals or Dodgers anyway and you keep Harvey set up as the game 4/5 NLDS or Game 4 NLCS starter and he’s only making 2 starts max and still ends up somewhere slightly over 200. No big deal, you don’t all look like you’re not trying to win, everyone’s okay.
Justin Turner had some interesting remarks about his former teammate that probably won’t get picked up by the East Coast media.
Sandy Alderson gave an interview to Mike Lupica the other day, that has not been picked up either. He pretty much explained his point of view and talked about being blindsided.
The Giants’ injuries this season have been something else.
Odd-numbered year.