Matt Harvey gave up a career-worst seven earned runs in his start on Saturday, seeing his ERA rise from 1.98 to 2.91 for the season.
On Sunday morning in Pittsburgh, Terry Collins suggested Harvey could be experiencing a dead arm phase of the season, and might benefit with the extra day off from the upcoming off-day on Thursday.
“I have not talked to Matt yet, but it looks like he might be going through some of that dead arm stuff that sometimes happens. This might help him to have an extra day to get him back on track,” Collins explained, according to Kristie Ackert of the Daily News.
This isn’t a big deal at all.
Dead arm is nothing more than sluggishness all pitchers go through at some point of the season. It doesn’t necessarily impact velocity or even one’s command. It’s more of a tired or lethargic feeling in the arm and body which just has to be worked through.
It can be counted on that Harvey will never use it as an excuse – he may never even admit to it if he is in fact going through with it. But in his case, it’s worth noting simply because he is who he is, and he’s in the process of coming back from Tommy John Surgery, which is often forgotten in his brilliance.
Harvey is expected to make his next start on Friday.
“He’s going to pitch Friday with five days rest, be ready to go,” Collins said.
Just Mets 