Matt Harvey doesn’t plan on taking a spring vacation.
The Mets ace is still months away from throwing as he rehabs from October surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, but Thursday he indicated he plans on reporting to spring training with his teammates — and on playing this season.
“Getting down there while throwing time is approaching is probably a good idea,” Harvey said, according to MLB.com.
The right-hander from Groton, Conn., was honored by the Boston chapter of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America as “New England Player of the Year.”
Mets general manager Sandy Alderson has said Harvey isn’t expected back in 2014, but it’s clear the pitcher has other ideas.
“I’d like to shoot for being out there in September,” Harvey said. “Obviously, I don’t make those decisions. I can only prepare to the best of my ability and make sure I’m in good strength and flexibility, and when they do let me go, I’m good to go.”
Harvey said his rehab has gone smoothly.
“I haven’t had the slightest setback,” he said. “I’m itching to get back out and pick up a baseball again. Whatever the doc says, I’ve got to follow those rules.”