Kevin Kernan

Kevin Kernan

MLB

Hey, Mets: Don’t hold back Amazin’ talent

PORT ST. LUCIE — Free Matt Harvey.

The worst thing the Mets can do is to pull back the reins on their young star pitcher, who underwent Tommy John surgery four months ago.

Sure, they must follow Dr. James Andrews’ rehab plan to the letter — don’t be stupid — but if Harvey is Harvey and makes Amazin’ progress, run with it.

That’s what being Matt Harvey is all about.

Harvey is not your average pitcher — never has been, never will be. Harvey must continue to be the same pitching presence mentally and physically, and the Mets need to stay out of his way and let him be himself. If he is ready physically to return by September — or maybe even late August — let him return to the major league mound.

And throw a party.

Harvey finally threw a baseball again on Saturday, and the results were Harvey-like. Harvey said he felt “awesome.’’

All you had to do was look at the big smile across his face to see a weight had been lifted from his shoulders.

That’s the best news the Mets ever could have hoped for since the dark day when Harvey tore the ligament in his right elbow. The surgery was a success, the ligament is stronger than ever and Harvey is firmly on the comeback trail. The Mets have tried to downplay it all, but they really should be celebrating The Comeback.

All you had to see was the fence-line of fans watching Harvey throw. Harvey delivers hope. He has a pitching presence. He wants to not only beat the opponent, he wants to dominate.

Matt Harvey made it cool again to be a Mets fan. He gave the Mets a backbone.

Harvey made 20 throws from 60 feet on flat ground Saturday, but this is what you really need to know. Just before Harvey went to throw on a backfield at the Mets sprawling spring training complex, he gave himself an emotional lift with a big WWE-like grunt — as if to say, “I’m back!’’

Let’s get this train rolling down the tracks.

The Mets need to get out of the way, and if Harvey continues to progress at a good rate, let him arrive as quickly as possible to the station.

One thing the Mets need to do is double-check on Harvey’s mechanics. He should go through a biomechanical analysis — CC Sabathia recently did — to see if there are any red flags, and if so, take care of the problem. Fix that and hopefully there won’t be any serious issues down the road.

Harvey may be a little late with his mechanics, and that may be putting undue stress on his elbow. If his mechanics are clean, all systems go. Let Harvey progress as rapidly as he can down that comeback trail. Don’t hold him back. Let him be the same bulldog he was when he took the majors by storm.

“The last thing I want to do is say August or September and have myself work too hard,’’ Harvey said, being cautious. “I have to stay with the doctor’s program, stay with the process and if somehow I’m good to go in August, all power to me. As of now I have to keep things slow and if they keep progressing than you never know.’’

You never know.

That’s the beauty of baseball. You never know.

Asked what he wanted to see from his young pitchers, manager Terry Collins said, “I want to see their presence, I want to see that focus, I want to see no fear.’’

He wants to see Matt Harvey.

“There is a reason he became great fast, because he’s got something in here and now he’s got to reach down inside and get it out and get himself ready,” Collins said. “And not at his pace, but at the pace that is proper to make sure his career is long and healthy.’’

Expect Matt Harvey to once again pick up the pace. Stay out of the way, Mets, and let this comeback happen.