Harvey hangs up his cleats

Before drug ban, he led Mets to 2015 World Series

Matt Harvey announced Friday he’s retiring from baseball after a nine-year pitching career highlighted by his time as the Mets’ “Dark Knight.”

Harvey, whose star faded amid injuries and a late-career suspension for drug distribution, thanked fans for making “a dream come true” in his Instagram post announcing his retirement.

Nicknamed the “Dark Knight of Gotham,” Harvey was selected seventh overall by the Mets in the 2010 amateur draft and made a heralded major league debut in 2012. He started the 2013 All-Star Game at Citi Field, but a little more than a month later tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow and needed Tommy John surgery.

He returned in 2015 and went 13-8, helping the Mets reach the World Series, where they lost to the Kansas City Royals.

He was traded to the Reds in May 2018, pitched for the Angels in 2019, the Royals in 2020, and the Orioles in 2021. Health woes, including thoracic outlet syndrome, contributed to Harvey failing to recapture his early career magic. He has a 50-66 career record with a 4.42 ERA in nine major league seasons.

Last year, Harvey testified at the trial of a former Los Angeles Angels employee who was later convicted of providing pitcher Tyler Skaggs the drugs that led to his overdose death in July 2019.

Harvey was one of four players who admitted to receiving oxycodone pills from the ex-employee, Eric Kay, who was sentenced to 22 years in prison in October 2022. Harvey was suspended for 60 games in 2022 for distributing a prohibited drug of abuse, and he never made it back to the majors.

Judge works out, Yankees fall

Yankees slugger Aaron Judge worked out at the team’s minor league complex in another step in his comeback from a right hip strain.

Speaking before New York’s 5-4 loss at Tampa Bay, manager Aaron Boone said Judge hit indoors, ran, threw, and did defensive drills at the nearby Tampa facility. Judge is eligible to come off the 10day injured list on Monday. He is set for another workout on Saturday, and Boone is hopeful Judge will return early next week.

Randy Arozarena homered in the first inning and then was hit by pitches in his next two plate appearances, leading to Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash being ejected in the first meeting this season between the AL East rivals.

Lefthander Carlos Rodón is scheduled to get an injection for his ailing back early next week. Righthander Luis Severino (right lat strain) pitched in a minor league intrasquad game in Tampa.

Red-hot Orioles top Braves

Anthony Santander homered from both sides of the plate, including a grand slam, and Cedric Mullins also went deep as the Orioles won for the 14th time in 17 games, 9-4, over the Braves in Atlanta.

Dean Kremer allowed one run in six strong innings for the Orioles, who became the first team this season to go deep off Braves ace Max Fried (2-1), who had his 18-inning scoreless streak snapped.

Santander homered against Fried in the fourth to put Baltimore ahead to stay. Then he delivered his first career grand slam to turn what had been a tight game into a rout.

Blue Jays’ Bassitt finds his groove

The settling-in process appears to be just about over for Chris Bassitt. The Toronto pitcher dominated the Pirates over seven strong innings as the Blue Jays rolled to a 4-0 victory to end a five-game losing streak.

Bassitt (4-2), signed to a three-year, $63-million contract in December, struck out five against four walks to win his third straight decision. Bassitt has surrendered four hits or less in each of his last five starts.

Houston loses García to injury

Houston starter Luis García needs Tommy John surgery and will miss the rest of the season, another major blow to the Astros’ rotation.

The defending World Series champions announced García’s status before Friday night’s game in Seattle. The righthander was placed on the 15day injured list this week. He left Monday’s start against the Giants after eight pitches with elbow discomfort.

García’s injury came the same day fellow righthander Jose Urquidy was placed on the IL with inflammation in his pitching shoulder. A date for García’s surgery had not been set.

Iglesias returns for Atlanta

Atlanta bolstered its bullpen by activating righthander Raisel Iglesias, their projected closer, who was shut down in spring training with shoulder inflammation. A.J. Minter has been handling the closer duties, recording seven saves with a 7.47 ERA. The Braves placed infielder Ehire Adrianza on the 10-day injured list with right elbow inflammation. Shortstop Braden Shewmake was recalled to make his big-league debut . . . The Pirates placed righthander Vince Velasquez on the 15-day injured list with inflammation in his pitching elbow. Velasquez clutched at his right elbow as he departed in the third inning Thursday. The Pirates activated righthander Chase De Jong and outrighted infielder Drew Maggi to Double A.