Jay: Matt can start fresh somewhere

Among the handful of Mets players who made themselves available to the media after Friday’s 8-7 loss to Colorado, Jay Bruce has been playing in the majors the longest, and the veteran had a pragmatic view of his now former teammate Matt Harvey getting designated for assignment earlier in the day. “This happens a lot, happens to a lot of people. Obviously a little more of a bombshell here in New York just because of the circumstances, the history here with the media and Matt,” said Bruce. “You see it all the time where guys go and get a new start somewhere and they thrive.” Yes, the media and Harvey had what could best be described as a combustible relationship during his Mets’ tenure, and that wasn’t including days when Harvey was splashed across the gossip pages. But Bruce and Friday’s Mets starter, Zack Wheeler, alluded to the age-old axiom that baseball is a business at the end of the day, and that any player can get moved, traded or released. “It’s unfortunate to see something like that happen. It’s part of the game. We’ve got to keep pushing, try to win some games,” said Wheeler, after the right-hander got mauled by the Rockies, surrendering eight runs on 10 hits.

“This is a business. Matt’s had a lot of ups and downs here, some of the highest ups and some of the lowest downs. I just wish him the best. I wish him the best as a person. I want him to play a long time and get back to where he feels like he’s himself,” said Bruce.

Michael Conforto, who had his own personal nightmare after whiffing four times (a golden sombrero) Friday night, said he was “shocked” that his “good friend” was given his walking papers. “I didn’t think it would end this way,” said Conforto.

But Bruce said there was no shock at all in Harvey’s refusal to accept a minor-league assignment after manager Mickey Callaway had recently moved Harvey to the bullpen.

“I could not imagine (Harvey) accepting an assignment. You pitch and play long enough, you’ve earned the right to refuse an assignment,” said Bruce. “I don’t know of many guys in his shoes that would have accepted it. I feel like he thinks he can have a chance somewhere else, get a fresh start, a clean slate. ”