The Mets can plan for a 2014 season that won’t include Matt Harvey.
After further consultation with doctors, the ace right-hander has decided to undergo Tommy John surgery on the partially torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, the team announced Friday.
Harvey had recently been undergoing physical therapy at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York and originally planned to begin a throwing program he hoped would strengthen the elbow and allow him to pitch next year. But Harvey never began the throwing program.
”After a period of time, based on the info, he had decided [surgery] was a more reasoned approach,” general manager Sandy Alderson said.
Harvey’s surgery is scheduled for later this month and will be performed by Dr. James Andrews, who in September examined Harvey and determined the elbow was stable enough that he could potentially attempt a rehab program.
The Mets have no illusions Harvey can return late next season. Rehab for the surgery typically takes 12-15 months, and Alderson is taking the more conservative approach that Harvey won’t be ready to resume pitching until February 2015.
“We’re not looking for him to come back in September [2014] or even pitch in the [Arizona] Fall League,” Alderson said. “I do believe if he has the surgery this month, there is plenty of time for him to be back and ready for 2015.”
Harvey went 9-5 with a 2.27 ERA for the Mets in a season he was the National League’s starting pitcher for the All-Star Game at Citi Field. He was diagnosed with the torn UCL in late August, following a start against the Tigers.
According to club sources, the Mets began their offseason planning in Port St. Lucie, Fla., this past week under the assumption they would not have Harvey for next season. The team will now pursue a veteran innings-eater type pitcher through free agency or the trade market. Bronson Arroyo and Phil Hughes, both of whom will hit the free-agent market, could be targets.
The Mets have pitching depth in the form of prospects Noah Syndergaard, Rafael Montero and Jacob deGrom, but Alderson is hesitant to consider any member of that trio for a spot on the Opening Day roster. Zack Wheeler, Dillon Gee and Jon Niese would be the returning members of the rotation.
“We’ve got two spots open,” Alderson said. “I would be a little uncomfortable going into spring training with filling the two spots from within.”
Daisuke Matsuzaka and Aaron Harang, both of whom were signed by the Mets late in the season and pitched to mixed results, could also be considered for 2014.
On Monday, at a press conference to announce manager Terry Collins’ new two-year contract, Alderson said the team has about $40 million coming off the books, but stopped short of setting a payroll target for next year. Alderson said this year’s payroll was about $88 million.
The team’s most pressing need is lineup help, after finishing near the bottom of the National League in most offensive categories.
As for Harvey, the general manager indicated the team is happy to have closure on the situation. Among the Mets’ concerns was Harvey attempting to pitch through the injury and potentially incurring a shoulder problem because he was favoring the elbow.
“I don’t think it’s the kind of season we would have preferred,” Alderson said. “I felt [surgery] would be the right decision, so in that sense I’m happy Matt has reached the same conclusion.”