Matt Harvey, Noah Syndergaard Expected To Return To Mets’ Rotation In September

The New York Mets‘ pitching rotation is expected to receive a major boost next month.

Mets Pitching Rotation News

The team is hoping to have Matt Harvey come off the disabled list on Friday for the opener of a three-game road series against the Houston Astros. (Whether or not that game will be held at Minute Maid Park remains unclear, as much of Houston is currently underwater following Hurricane Harvey) The 28-year-old starting right-hander has posted a 4.63 ERA in four rehab starts in his comeback from a stress injury to his right scapula that has kept him on the DL since June 16.

Terry Collins’ team also plans to have Noah Syndergaard — who has been out since partially tearing his right lat April 30 — return to the rotation sometime in September.

In Harvey’s last outing on Saturday, he surrendered five runs, three of which were earned, over 4 ²/₃ innings for Double-A Binghamton against Portland.

“When he threw in Double-A last time, the reports weren’t all that glowing,” pitching coach Dan Warthen said. “But [minor league pitching coordinator] Glenn Abbott was raving about this last one. Matt’s delivery was the same every pitch, and everything was coming out cleanly.”

Harvey’s pitching speed hovered around 91- to 93-mph, although Warthen claimed those lower-than-usual statistics were not cause for worry.

“The fact he was repeating his delivery, I am pleased,” Warthen said.

Harvey missed the second half of last season after undergoing surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome. The Mets discovered that the cause of the condition was that the muscles in the back of his right shoulder had atrophied.

“I understand my situation here,” Harvey said. “I know that I haven’t pitched well. I know that I caused some distractions.”

“I am not proud of that, but I can’t do anything about it except try and move forward. I feel good, I haven’t felt this good (on the mound) since 2015 and I am excited to get back.”

“I know I have to prove myself again,” Harvey added, “and I am ready to go out there and do that again.”

Meanwhile, Syndergaard threw to live batters for the first time on Saturday, and he is scheduled to throw another live batting practice session on Wednesday.

“I think he needs to pitch in a game,” said Collins. “I think we can get him one. I don’t know how many pitches he is throwing on Wednesday, but we could still get him in one.

“We certainly plan on getting him back some time in September.”

The Mets (57-73, 4th in National League East) lost to the Nationals 5-4 in Washington on Sunday and next begin a three-game series against the Reds in Cincinnati on Tuesday.

PHILADELPHIA, PA – APRIL 11: Starting pitcher Matt Harvey #33 of the New York Mets delivers a pitch in the third inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on April 11, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)