BUFFALO — Matt Harvey will eventually make it to Citi Field, but judging by his performance last night, he doesn’t figure to be there in time for Saturday’s game against the Dodgers.
The Mets prospect wasn’t at his best in his latest outing for Triple-A Buffalo in what some thought was an audition to get called up to the Mets in place of Dillon Gee.
With team executive J.P Ricciardi in the stands and general manager Sandy Alderson watching on TV, Harvey took a no-hitter into the sixth, but struggled with his command and got a no decision in a 4-2 loss to Toledo.
“He’s a good one,” said Ricciardi, special assistant to the GM, after Harvey hit 95 mph and featured a good breaking ball in 6 2/3 innings, in which he gave up two runs, struck out four and walked four. “He didn’t have his best stuff, but he showed me a lot by competing.”
The Mets remain confident Harvey will be able to contribute in the majors — likely soon. Last night’s start was Harvey’s first since June 4, although he did pitch two innings in the Triple-A All-Star Game on Wednesday.
“I was a little rusty,” said Harvey, who believes he’s prepared for the majors. “I do. … It’s not my call. Whenever they decide I’m ready, guess I’m ready.”
His manager, Wally Backman, likes what he has seen.
“The parts of two years I’ve had him, I’ve seen a guy improve more so than anybody I’ve had,” Backman said. “He’s bound and determined to pitch in the big leagues and he’s definitely going to pitch in the big leagues. When? That’s not up to me.”
The spotlight on Harvey grew brighter after Gee went down with an arterial clot in his right shoulder that required surgery.
Jason Bay, Harvey’s teammate for the last few days, believes he is the right pitcher to replace Gee.
“I don’t think anyone thinks he’s the savior, but people are excited and rightfully so,” Bay said. “In spring training, I told [manager Terry Collins], ‘I know we’re full with starters, but I have a hard time believing this guy’s not gonna help us at some point.’ Maybe that point is now.”
The 23-year-old may soon get his shot.
“There’s an opportunity,” Bay said. “You just look around at the viable options. You might be able to get away with patchwork here and there, once or twice, but in the long-term interests, I think it’s pretty obvious.”
The Mets have stumbled in their first few games following the All-Star break, so they may need a boost — something Bay thinks Harvey might provide.
“It would be a little bit of a change,” said Bay, who talked to Harvey about the transition to the majors when the two shared a flight from Boston to Buffalo Sunday night. “It wouldn’t be massive, but it’s something different. It’s one guy, but sometimes a little change can stir some stagnant air.”
He may have to wait a bit longer.
“Ultimately, he’s going to be a big leaguer,” Ricciardi said. “When [that] is? Time will tell.”
For now, Ricciardi is trying to manage expectations.
“There are very few people, maybe Stephen Strasburg is the last guy, and that’s all God-given stuff, who walks up and is automatically unbelievable,” Ricciardi said. “There are bumps in the road.”
Harvey has an idea of what awaits him whenever he gets to the big leagues and doesn’t intend to shy away.
“It’s something I’m not trying to block out because it’s gonna be there,” Harvey said. “Even when I went there after I signed, it was eye-opening. … I’m not trying to be Superman, because that’s not possible.”