BUMP & GUN
Matt takes mound for 1st ‘official’ time since surgery, still eyes return this season
WASHINGTON — This time it really counted.
After throwing on Tuesday what he considered his f irst official bullpen session since undergoing Tommy John surgery, Matt Harvey told reporters in Port St. Lucie, Fla., he was surprised at how smoothly the ball left his hand.
The Mets ace t h rew 20 pitches, according to a team off icial, and is expected to continue building towa rd an appearance in the team’s instructional league in September. He also could make a cameo in the Arizona Fall League.
Though Harvey threw from a mound last Friday at Citi Field, he ramped up his program on Tuesday.
“Honestly, it’s kind of surprising,” Harvey told reporters. “I didn’t think things would feel this good and this easy, but I couldn’t be happier and [I’m] excited about moving forward. The mechanics, I feel they didn’t leave in the amount of time I wasn’t able to use them. It’s exciting, it’s fun and I was happy things are smooth. I’m glad I haven’t had any setbacks.”
Last week Harvey told The Post his goal wa s to pitch for the Mets this season , eve n if i t was “one inning out of the bullpen .” But general manager Sandy Alderson is expected to take a cautious approach with Harvey, who won’t hit the one-year anniversary of his surgery until Oct. 22.
Harvey, who has been rehabbing in New York when the Mets are at home, reiterated a desire to pitch in the majors in 2014.
“That hasn’t changed,” he said. “Once I started throwing, my mindset was to come back and compete and play. I love being there in New York with the guys, and I am hoping the process keeps going smoothly and you never know what can happen.”
Harvey originally was on course to begin t h rowing from a mound on June 10, but the Mets were concerned he was moving too fast in his rehab process and delayed his jump to the next step.
In an appearance at Citi Field last month, Harvey’s agent, Scott Boras, indicated he agreed with the Mets ’ decision to slow the process. Boras cited research that indicates pitchers are best served waiting 14-16 months before returning to major league action.
But Harvey wants to pitch, regardless of where the Mets might be in the standings.
“Every game I pitch is meaningful for me,” he said. “I take every game the same regardless of how we’re doing as a team. For me, I love being out there every fifth day and being with the guys and performing. That’s fun. That’s what I like to do, and I miss doing that. Obviously, getting back is very important to me.”
mpuma@nypost.com