After a few reports stating Matt Harvey may not be ready for the beginning of the 2015 season and that the team is expected to place an innings limit on him, general manager Sandy Alderson spoke on Friday to set the record straight.
Alderson noted Harvey will have almost no limitations during spring training and operate on a "95 percent" regular schedule with no "special precautions" as he finishes his rehab from Tommy John surgery. In fact, he said the team would be comfortable with Harvey pitching a full season (including the playoffs if they make it) and eclipsing the 200-inning mark.
"It's not that we have an innings limit," Alderson said, via Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. "We have a target number in mind that will inform us as we manage day to day, from start to start. It's not an evolving strategy, but I think it's sort of a loose understanding of where we want to be at the end of the season."
The team may delay his 2015 debut or hold him back initially at the beginning of the season, and continue to ensure his longevity by "skipping him strategically throughout the summer and/or giving him an extended rest around the All-Star break," according to DiComo. This apparent strategy provides some insight as to why the Mets were entering spring training with six starters and wouldn't pull the trigger on trading Dillon Gee. It was reported earlier in the week that Gee might be relegated to the bullpen and used in relief of Harvey's potential "spot starts."
The bottom line is that Harvey will not be getting the treatment Stephen Strasburg received during his first season back from Tommy John surgery. Washington Nationals' general manager placed an innings limit on the right-hander and shut him down for the season once he reached that number. The decision ended up costing the Nats dearly when they fell to the St. Louis Cardinals 3-2 in the NLDS. Strasburg finished 15-6 with a 3.16 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 197 strikeouts in 28 starts (159 1/3 innings) during that 2012 season.
The Mets have seemingly learned from the Nationals' decision and hope to maximize Harvey's effectiveness throughout the 2015 season.
"The plan is for him to pitch throughout the season and be able to pitch during the playoffs," Alderson added.
