Just Mets

On Wednesday afternoon in Jupiter, Matt Harvey started for the Mets and allowed two runs on six hits with one walk and two strikeouts in 2 2/3 innings pitched, having worked around a bases loaded, nobody out jam in the second inning while allowing only one run.

Harvey threw 49 pitches to 13 batters, 30 for strikes.

After his start, Harvey told reporters he felt sluggish and a little fatigued during his start, which he felt was normal for this time of year.

“Other than that everything was fine, Harvey said. “I’m still working on getting in the swing of going out there multiple times and multiple innings. Getting the body in shape is definitely most important now. I feel like I worked on a lot of pitches today, which was good. Other than that, everything was good except for being a little sluggish.”

Harvey is expected to throw 60 pitches in his start against the Red Sox next Monday.

There were some discrepancies over Harvey’s fastball velocity today, but scouts in attendance were reportedly saying he was in the upper 90’s with his fastball, albeit inconsistently. He was reportedly focusing on his off-speed pitches, notably his curve and change with a few sliders mixed in. In fact, he struck out Michael Morse on a slider to end his day in the third inning. So, as I’ve said about Zack Wheeler and the other starters over the last week, it’s hard to gauge anything from the results when they’re throwing certain pitches in unusual situations.

At the end of the day, I’m more concerned with Harvey’s pitch execution and his health than I am with readings on a radar gun. The fact of the matter is he can’t throw 70 fastballs at 100 mph and sustain himself. Hell, he can’t always throw his slider at 91 mph like he did in 2013 and sustain himself. His velocity and pitch execution won’t always be at it’s best, especially as he goes through this process of rebounding from Tommy John Surgery. The key is whether or not he can work around those days and execute when he’s not at his best.

To hear Harvey’s discuss his outing with reporters on Wednesday, check out MLB.com.