RADIO
After an 18-month hiatus from the mound, Matt Harvey returned and dominated his way through two innings for the New York Mets Friday at Port St. Lucie, Fla.
Harvey faced six Detroit Tiger batters, striking out three and not allowing a base-runner. Hitting the speed-gun as high as 99 mph, Harvey picked up where he left off two seasons ago after he partially tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow in August 2013. Harvey underwent successful Tommy John surgery and had to sit out the entire 2014 season.
"I feel like I never left," Harvey told MLB.com. "I could tell the ball was coming out good. I think I let a few go, but for the most part I was really trying to stay loose and hit my spots, and I felt pretty confident with that."
Before the injury, Harvey was having an all-star season with a 9-5 record with a 2.27 ERA in 26 starts. He was handed the ball to start the MLB All-Star Game at Citi Field, which is the home of his New York Mets.
Harvey only needed 25 pitches to get through the two innings he worked. Besides the three strikeouts, he broke the bats of two batters and introduced the curveball to his repertoire as he gets ready for the 2015 season. The Mets have said he will likely not be the opening day starter, but rather join the rotation five or six games in.
