Matt Harvey will likely make his season debut on April 9, the third game of the regular season, says Kevin Kernan of the New York Post.
If that’s the case, Harvey would next pitch on April 14, the team’s second home game.
“The Mets don’t want Harvey to be over-amped [on Opening Day or the home opener], try a bit too hard, and run into trouble,” Kernan writes.
As a fan, I’d love to see Harvey pitch the home opener. Opening Day is always a lot of fun, the atmosphere is usually electric, and Harvey would only enhance that. But he’s not only the team’s ace, but he’s developing into the next icon for the team and fan base, which is absolutely amazing considering he’s appeared in 36 games and won 12 of them in his career. As such, the Mets should act cautiously and do whatever it takes to protect their asset. Besides, if he pitches the second home game, he will serve as a draw. I mean, I had no intention of going that day until now, so it’s not a bad move from a marketing perspective.
Just Mets 