Is up to speed, regardless of velocity

topped out at 94 mph.

While the Mets said it was not a concern, they went so far as to disable the radar gun on the scoreboard at home when he pitched.

Once the season starter, his fastball averaged 94 mph, according to BrooksBaseball.net and it jumped to an average of 95 in May before dropping off to 93 in June. That was just before he was shut down with what the team called a “stress reaction” in the scapula bone of his right shoulder, but what he admitted was shoulder weakness after Thoracic Outlet Syndrome surgery.

In 2013, his All-Star season before being shut down to have Tommy John surgery, Harvey’s fastball sat between 96 and 97 miles an hour. Terry Collins doesn’t think he needs to recover that.

“I think he can be fine at 93, 94 miles an hour,” the Mets manager said. “He’ll get a little jump when he gets back on a big league mound, but Matt knows how to use his pitches. He can work with that.”

The main concern for the Mets

CINCINNATI — Rafael Montero got tired of the commute between New York and Las Vegas. The 26-year-old righthander was given an ultimatum the last time the Mets sent him packing back to Triple-A: Throw strikes or you can’t come back.

Montero has responded and seems to be making his case for next year. Montero pitched 8.1 shutout innings Wednesday night as the Mets beat the Reds, 2-0, at the Great American Ball Park.

“First of all I am just so thankful for this team. They have given me many opportunities I am aware of that,” Montero said. “I am glad the changes I have made of late have really come through.”

Montero scattered three hits, walked four and struck out eight. He gave up a double to Joey Votto in the fourth inning and then gave up a single in the ninth to Phillip Ervin and a double to Zack Cozart. “I wanted to give him a chance,” Terry Collins said. “If we were fighting for the pennant, you would have probably saw Ramos to start the inning, but I thought he deserved to be out there.”

Collins went to A.J. Ramos. The Mets intentionally walked Votto then Ramos struck out Adam Duvall and Scooter Gennett. Over his last four starts, Montero (3-9) has pitched to a 2.10 ERA. Part of the key is the slight righty is going inside on hitters more. “It’s made a huge difference. A huge difference to be able to pitch inside,” Collins said. “It just opens up the outer half of the plate.”

METS VS. REDS

Today, 12:35 p.m., Jacob deGrom (14-7, 3.39) vs. Robert Stephenson (2-4, 5.81); TV: SNY is that he is able to get results and Harvey has struggled with that too this season. He heads into Saturday’s start 4-3 with a 5.25 ERA in 13 starts. Not only is that the highest ERA of his parts of six years in the big leagues, he also has a careerhigh 4.5 walk rate per nine innings and a career-low 6.9 strikeout per nine rate.

Harvey, however, is confident that he can get back on track if he can stay healthy.

He has battled through major surgery and said he has not felt this good physically since 2015. He was shut down in June 2016 when he continued to lose feeling in his fingers. He was diagnosed with Thoracic Outlet Syndrome and had season-ending surgery that month. That surgery removed a rib and cut through several muscles in his neck and shoulder, which did not bounce back as quickly as he had hoped this season.

Now, after strengthening the shoulder and slowly working his way back since going on the disabled list this June, Harvey is feeling stronger and able to bounce back after starts.

“I think being healthy is being the biggest part, finally coming back and not having any issues between an outing and a bullpen session, not getting sore, that’s the biggest thing,” Harvey said. “If I

The Mets hit three doubles in the first inning to score two runs, including RBI doubles for Wilmer Flores and Kevin Plawecki.

Rafael Montero went 8.1 innings, scattering three hits and striking out eight for the best start of his career.

STAT OF THE DAY

It was only the third time Rafael Montero had pitched seven innings in his career, the first time he completed eight.

UNSUNG HERO

A.J. Ramos came in with the Reds threatening and closed out the win for Montero by striking out Adam Duvall and Scooter Gennett.

Amed Rosario was out of the lineup for a scheduled day off Wednesday. can get five or six solid starts in. Feel strong and healthy going into each start and go into the offseason strong and healthy. That’s the biggest thing.” an Warthen watched Harvey’s bullpen Wednesday and said it was one of his best.

“The ball is coming out of his hand good, he’s repeating his mechanics,” Warthen said. “I am not worried about his velocity. That will jump up with the adrenaline of getting back here. He’s ready to go.”

Harvey will return Saturday looking to focus on staying healthy and getting outs. How hard he throws will not be his concern.

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