By Christopher Saunders
Just when you think nothing else could go wrong for the New York Mets it happens again.
Injuries have crippled the starting pitching staff, dreadful start that has put the Mets at the bottom of the division, controversy between media, players, organization itself, and now the Matt Harvey saga.
Matt Harvey, NY Mets
The Mets are unwilling to reveal the reason for pitcher Matt Harvey’s brief suspension, with manager Terry Collins having very little to say.
“We’ll keep it in-house, the way it’s supposed to be.”
That’s the comment made by the Terry Collins whom has had his hands full this year between injuries to key players (Syndergaard, Cespedes, Wright) just to name a few.
Sunday’s development continues just a roller coaster of events that have happened this season, let alone last couple weeks.
You’ve had most recently Syndergaard refused an MRI recommended by the Mets for his bicep, which a day later he pitched and tore his right lat muscle. In doing so he will be out for no later than three months and sadly it could have been avoided. .
That’s just one of many negative situations to have occurred for the Amazin’s.
In Harvey’s case, who hasn’t resembled his previous top-of-the-rotation form since the beginning of last season. Harvey logged a 4.86 ERA over 92 2/3 innings in 2016, and then underwent season-ending thoracic outlet syndrome surgery in July.
In his return this season, the 28-year-old has continued to throw harder, yet his once-high strikeout rate has dropped to 5.14 per nine innings which is well-below average among MLB rankings.
What is even more starling is that he’s posted a career-worst walk rate 3.4 over 35 innings this year when you combine declining K/BB ratio more men are on base, increasing his pitch count first off, but also giving teams more of a chance to drive in runs.
Harvey’s once stellar swinging-strike percentage at 11.7% from 2012-16 is now 7.4% in 2017.
You may ask yourself what all this equals?
Harvey’s ERA sits at a lofty 5.14 through six starts, meaning he’s in the lower percentile of starters four and five’s instead of what his talents could have him be a number one!
As of now, the only Mets starter who has gone through 2017 without any real issues is Jacob degrom.
Syndergaard, Steven Matz and Seth Lugo are all shelved with injuries, while Robert Gsellman and Zack Wheeler haven’t been as effective as they were previously; however, it’s understandable in Wheeler’s case, as he’s returning from Tommy John surgery.
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