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Matt Harvey, who has been out since June 14 with a scapula (shoulder blade) injury, will return to the mound Saturday in the first game of a doubleheader against the Houston Astros. Harvey is set to return to the big league club after two rehab appearances with Double-A Binghamton where he pitched 7 2⁄3 innings, allowing five earned runs. Harvey is expected to be held to a pitch count of about 80.
Although the 28-year-old’s rehab assignment was lackluster, the Mets have determined he his healthy enough to rejoin the team. Harvey also threw a bullpen session Wednesday. When he takes the mound Saturday he will be nursing a 5.25 ERA in what has been a disappointing season for most of the Mets’ pitching staff. However, the remainder of the 2017 season is a big opportunity for Harvey to show his health issues can be put in the past.
Harvey and the Mets will be playing in the first game Houston hosts at Minute Maid Park since the devastation of Hurricane Harvey swept through the city of Houston and the state of Texas.