The New York Mets have suspended pitcher Matt Harvey without pay for 3 games. The club did not disclose the reason for his suspension although it is believed a sex toy into catcher Kevin Pawecki's locker might have been the cause. This image was accidentally tweeted out on Friday night following the Mets' comeback win.
Harvey was scheduled to pitch today. Instead, journeyman Adam Wilk is toeing the rubber. Giancarlo Stanton took him deep for a three run home run in the 1st. Stanton just added a second home run in the 3rd. Now the Mets are down 4-0.
Whatever Harvey's transgression, I can't help but think this wouldn't be happening if Harvey's ERA weren't 5.14 and if the Mets weren't six and a half games back of the Washington Nationals in the NL East. I wonder if the Mets are taking a harder line on Harvey due to Noah Syndergaard's refusal to have a MRI. Syndergaard is now on the 60-Day DL with a torn lat.
It will be interesting to see if this lights a fire under the Mets or if it triggers a collapse. The Mets won the NL pennant in 2015 and won the NL East in 2016.
UPDATE: Make that 5-0 Marlins. Adeiny Hechavarria just took Wilk deep. It is the third home run he has allowed in 3 1/3 innings pitched.
UPDATE II: The Mets lost 7-0 and for what? For his part, Harvey claims he notified the Mets he would not be coming to the ballpark due to a migraine and only found out about the suspension upon his arrival at Citi Field this morning. Harvey has filed a grievance.
It is worth noting that Harvey is eligible for arbitration in 2018. I've a funny feeling that if the Mets are out of it by the end of June they will try to unload him. The challenge might be finding takers. After being one of the premier pitchers in MLB in 2014 and 2015, Harvey struggled in 2016 going 4-10 with a 4.86 ERA. Combine his ineffectiveness with his partying ways and this latest incident, 2017 might be a very long year for Harvey and the Mets.
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