Harvey gets ball for opener over Jacob
PORT ST. LUCIE — The Mets made the obvious choice Thursday.
Terry Collins tabbed Matt Harvey, a 2013 All-Star, and not 2015 All-Star Jacob deGrom, as the Mets’ Opening Day starter April 3.
The manager said Harvey’s performance at the end of 2015, his first season back from elbow surgery, and questions about deGrom’s availability played into the decision. DeGrom’s wife, Stacey, is expecting the couple’s first child April 5 and he will take his paternity leave and be there for the birth of his child.
“That was an issue,” Collins said. “We don’t know what it’s going to be. We hope he’s available. We hope that the baby arrives early, but I can’t play around.
“I’ve got to play it safe and go with a guy I know will be there.”
The Mets have not announced the rest of their rotation because they are waiting to see what happens with deGrom’s family.
“The remainder of the week is an issue right now,” Collins said. “So as you know in our (media) market, I would hate to name somebody now and then have something happen and cause an issue. We’ll name those other guys later.”
Harvey will make the first Opening Day start of his career in the World Series rematch against the Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Collins indicated that with three off days that week, the Mets may “piggyback” their starters — using two in a game — in the first two games.
DeGrom pitched Thursday for the first time since being scratched Monday with a stiff back and had no issues. He threw three strong innings against the Marlins, retiring nine of the 10 batters he faced, striking out three and giving up one hit. DeGrom said the back was no issue at all Thursday.
He also had no issues with Harvey being the Opening Day starter.
“I am definitely going to be there when my son is born,” deGrom said. “I think that played a little bit of a role in it. … I am happy for Matt and what he’s done in a short period is impressive. “I am really happy for him.” Collins said Harvey’s performance was also a deciding factor.
“The way (Harvey) finished last year, the way he’s throwing the ball right now, he was the Comeback Player of the Year, a lot of things that led up to it,” Collins said. “Jake was certainly in the consideration, along with everybody, probably not (Steven) Matz, but we knew that if there was any question even he could have been the guy. With a lot of the situations we were facing, we knew Matt would be the guy.”
Harvey went 13-8 with a 2.53 ERA last season. His agent set off a firestorm late in the season about Harvey’s workload in the first season back from surgery, saying if the he Mets pitched him more than 180 innings nings they would be putting him in “peril.” peril.” Harvey finished the regular season with 189.1 innings and went nt on to pitch 26.2 more in the playoffsffs to a 3.04 ERA. He set the record for most innings thrown by a pitcher her in his first season back from m Tommy John surgery.
Harvey would have been the obvious choice for r 2014 Opening Day starter had he e not gone down with a torn UCL in August 2013. He was the Nationalonal League’s starting pitcher in the e All-Star Game and finished fourthurth in the Cy Young voting thatt year.
His feelings were a little hurt when he wasn’t given the nod in 2015 afterfter fighting his way back, pitching ching coach Dan Warthen said. aid. Harvey said it made the journey ourney a little sweeter now.
“It makes the whole process a little surreal,” eal,” Harvey said Thursday y morning, thinking back on the last two years. “Going from missing a whole year, to having to re-establish myself and get back where I needed to be, having the honor of leading us off. I couldn’t be more proud and happy of the hard work and t h is or ga n izat ion for giving me that opportunity.
“Like I said, it could have gone to anybody,” Harvey said, “so I am definitely grateful for the opportunity.” HOWARD SIMMONS/ DAILY NEWS