Mets to cut ties with one-time ace Harvey

Matt Harvey, once regarded as a premier pitcher who could have joined Tom Seaver and Dwight Gooden among the Mets’ greats, refused a minor league assignment and will be designated for assignment today.

The 29-year-old righthander lost his spot in the rotation last month after four starts, and he had a 10.50 ERA in four relief outings.

“It’s the end of an era,” Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said before Friday night’s game against Colorado. “And I used that term in broad senses. Matt has been a cornerstone certainly of my tenure here, a tremendous prospect at the time I arrived, tremendous accomplishments during the course of my tenure here.”

New York had hoped Harvey would be willing to work at the team’s minor league complex in an effort to regain form. Harvey refused.

After Harvey is designated, the Mets have seven days to trade him or release him. Because of Harvey’s $5,625,000 salary, a trade may be difficult to work out.

Tigers: Two-time AL MVP Miguel Cabrera (strained hamstring) was placed on the disabled list before Friday’s game against the Royals.

Braves: Jose Bautista is back in the major leagues after Atlanta inserted the 37-year-old at third base and fifth in the batting order Friday against San Francisco. directly from the college ranks to the NHL.

“I think the game is changing, and in the end it’s dealing with people,” Nill said. “It’s dealing with the younger players, and on top of it, winning, and he’s done that.”

Montgomery was 125-5726 the past five seasons at the University of Denver, including a national title.

ODDS AND ENDS