HERE’S HARVEY

Matt’s out to prove himself in return from DL

WASHINGTON — Matt Harvey appears ready to give 2017 another whirl.

After 2 ½ months on the disabled list and mediocre results in his four rehab starts, the right-hander is expected to return to the Mets rotation this week, tentatively scheduled for Friday against the Astros.

Whether that game will be played in Houston is unclear, with much of the city underwater following Hurricane Harvey.

The Mets’ Harvey has not been a force, posting a 4.63 ERA in four rehab starts in his comeback from a stress injury to his right scapula that has kept him on the DL since June 16.

Team officials were encouraged by reports they received on Harvey’s most recent outing Saturday, when he allowed five runs, three of which were earned, over 4 2/3 innings for Double-A Binghamton against Portland.

“When he threw in Double-A last time, the reports weren’t all that glowing,” pitching coach Dan Warthen said. “But [minor league pitching coordinator] Glenn Abbott was raving about this last one. Matt’s delivery was the same every pitch, and everything was coming out cleanly.”

Harvey’s velocity hovered in the 91- to 93-mph range, according to Warthen, but those lower-than-usual numbers were not a concern.

“The fact he was repeating his delivery, I am pleased,” Warthen said.

Harvey’s comfort level is more important than any numbers he has posted in his rehab starts, according to manager Terry Collins.

“We have seen it in the past a lot of times where it’s hard to get motivated when your sights are the major leagues,” Collins said. “If he feels good, if he feels the ball came out good, then I think that is the most important thing right now.”

Harvey, who missed the second half of last season after undergoing surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome, is 4-3 with a 5.25 ERA in 13 starts for the Mets in 2017.

Only adding to Harvey’s miserable season, he was suspended by the team in May after an unexcused absence from a game. Harvey missed one start and was reinstated after serving a three-game suspension.

Another sidelined Mets starter, Noah Syndergaard, threw live batting practice over the weekend in Port St. Lucie and could rejoin the rotation in mid-September. Syndergaard has been on the DL since May 1 with a partial tear of his right lat.

Warthen said he suspects Harvey’s stress injury was a significant factor in the pitcher’s underwhelming performances this season.

“He was throwing good first innings with velocity and everything working,” Warthen said. “And all of a sudden, second inning, a dramatic fall in velocity and ev- erything else. I think [the stress injury] had a great deal of effect because he didn’t sustain his velocity and sustain his stuff.

“His arm started acting funny because it wasn’t strong enough to get to where it’s supposed to be, so I think it had a great deal of effect.”

Does Harvey have something to prove?

“I think he has a big-time desire to get out there and compete,” Warthen said. “And show the baseball world and the Mets and everyone else that Harvey is still a force.”