The New York Mets have placed themselves in excellent position to reach the postseason, and the franchise received even more good news on Sunday.
In a post on the Players Tribune attributed to Matt Harvey, the star pitcher announced he will be a part of the rotation if the Mets clinch a playoff spot.
“You’ve heard about the 180-185 innings cap. That seems to be the number that will allow me to pitch into the postseason. Regardless of those numbers, I hope everyone knows: I have always wanted to play. I have always wanted to pitch every single chance I get.
Especially in the playoffs.”
Harvey’s 2014 season was cut short due to Tommy John surgery, and he, agent Scott Boras, the team and Harvey’s doctor have been working around an innings limit, which is common following the injury.
To date, the 26-year-old has thrown 166.1 innings, posting a 12-7 record with a 2.60 ERA. At that pace, however, Harvey would likely only have three or four starts remaining before reaching the limit.
But the Mets currently boast a 4.0-game lead on the Washington Nationals with 26 games remaining, and New York’s magic number is only 23. The appeal of Harvey pitching in the postseason is impossible to ignore, so creative adjustments—like a six-man rotation—can give the Mets’ star extra rest, too.
Although New York doesn’t want to risk Harvey’s long-term health, the short-term draw of a potential World Series win has proved to be a bigger influence.