Is Matt Harvey Finished? (Or A Dark Day For The Dark Knight)

The Los Angeles Angels have designated pitcher Matt Harvey for assignment. The decision comes less than 24 hours after Harvey surrendered six runs, seven hits and five walks over six innings in a 6-2 loss to the Houston Astros. In 12 starts for the Angels this season, Harvey went 3-5 with an ERA of 7.09.

Harvey was my pick to become AL Comeback Player of the Year after signing a one year deal with the Angels for $11 million.  Unfortunately, he's never been the same pitcher since 2015 when he led the New York Mets to the NL pennant. Harvey was injured the following season and that June had surgery to deal with thoracic outlet syndrome. He would fare no better in 2017 and after being banished to the bullpen in early 2018, the Mets traded Harvey to the Cincinnati Reds for catcher Devin Mesoraco. In 24 starts with the Reds last season, Harvey was a serviceable 7-7 with a 4.50 ERA, but still a far cry from his All-Star form in 2013 and World Series form of 2015. This year has proved to be a huge step backwards.

So it's been a dark day for The Dark Knight. The question now is Harvey finished? At the very minimum, the 30-year old Harvey is at a crossroads. From where I sit, Harvey's best bet is to reinvent himself as a relief pitcher. He needn't be a closer, but perhaps as a two or three inning pitcher along the lines of Andrew Miller or at least the Andrew Miller from two or three years ago. Harvey could be a valuable asset out of the bullpen. With starting pitchers exiting games earlier and the emergence of openers, there is a need for long relievers in the middle innings and Harvey could fill that role. Unless he has no further desire to play baseball, Harvey has nothing to lose by trying so long as a team is willing to give him one more try.