Matt Harvey to start Friday for Mets

After missing his start Sunday after being suspended for breaking team rules, Matt Harvey will start Friday against the Brewers, reports Marc Carig of Newsday. Harvey has not pitched since Tuesday May 2, when he allowed six runs, all earned, in 5.1 innings against the Braves; he will pitch Friday on ten days’ rest.

The announcement of Harvey’s next start comes amidst a flurry of news related to Harvey. After his suspension was announced before Sunday’s game, it was later reported that Harvey would file a grievance against the Mets, which could bring the case before an independent arbitrator.

Some of the facts behind Harvey’s suspension are still unclear. Jon Heyman is reporting that after playing golf Saturday morning, Harvey developed a migraine and did not go to the ballpark for Saturday’s game; Harvey, apparently, saw the issue as a miscommunication. However, Kristie Ackert of the Daily News is reporting that Harvey’s suspension was a response to a multitude of issues going back to last season.

Harvey has largely disappointed so far this season, posting a 2-2 record and a 5.14 ERA in six starts as he returns from season-ending surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome. His velocity has returned, as his fastball has sat at 95-98 MPH, but his control has lagged behind: Harvey is averaging 3.3 walks per nine innings, up from a career mark of 2.1. In addition, he is averaging only 5.1 strikeouts per nine innings; before this season, he had averaged 9.1.

Harvey gave a positive analysis after his last start. “Today was the best I’ve felt in a long time,” he said. “I could throw the ball the way I wanted to and I felt like it was coming out better than it has a in a couple years.” However, Terry Collins called his command and secondary pitches “inconsistent.”

So far, Harvey’s season has been inconsistent. Pitching on ten days rest on Friday, he will begin his attempt to right the ship.