Matt Harvey will take the next step in his road to recovery on Tuesday, when the Mets right-hander is expected to throw 25 pitches off a mound at the team’s minor-league complex in Port St. Lucie, Fla., a team spokesman said.
The 25-year-old Harvey threw 20 pitches from the slope of the bullpen mound Friday afternoon at Citi Field, a little more than nine months after he underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow.
Where Harvey goes from here, however, is uncertain. He wants to pitch in a game with the Mets before the season ends, granted all goes well in his rehab, while general manager Sandy Alderson mentioned on Friday the instructional league and Arizona Fall League as possibilities. Harvey went under the knife last Oct. 22 and the usual recovery time is 10-to-14 months before a pitcher returns to the big leagues.
Bartolo Colon fell short in his first attempt at win No. 200 in the Mets’ 9-0 loss to the Giants, but if the 41-year-old right-hander reaches the milestone, it will be a significant moment in his 16-year career. With one more win, Colon will join Dominican Republic countrymen Pedro Martinez and Juan Marichal in the 200-victory club.
“That’s what means the most,” Colon said through an interpreter. “I want to be with those other two guys. It’s important.”
Wilmer Flores received his second straight start for the first time since he was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas July 24, and produced one of the Mets’ two hits against Giants starter Madison Bumgarner, a double to deep left-center field. Flores had a two-run double in Saturday’s 4-2 win.
“Definitely playing every day makes you feel a little bit more comfortable at the plate,” he said.
Manager Terry Collins gave Daniel Murphy a day off Sunday and Flores played second base. He’s been splitting time at shortstop with Ruben Tejada. While Flores said he hasn’t been frustrated by his inconsistent playing time —he has started five of 10 games since he’s been back with the Mets, the infielder is trying to make the most of his limited opportunities.
“Whether I’m playing or not playing, I have to be ready,” Flores said.
Sunday’s loss meant the Mets won’t win a home series for the first time in five tries. They last lost a series at Citi Field June 10-12, when the Brewers took two of three. … The Mets lost a day game for just the third time in their last 14 such contests.