Mets will designate Matt Harvey for assignment

The New York Mets announced that they will designated Matt Harvey for assignment, effectively ending his career with the franchise. Harvey was asked to accept a minor league assignment and declined, according to general manager Sandy Alderson. It’s a sad end to a once promising Mets career, but something Sandy Alderson described as “a long time coming.”

After three great seasons, one of which came after Tommy John surgery, things began unraveling in 2016, and Harvey’s performance has quickly declined since then. He had a 4.86 ERA in 17 starts before being shut down in 2016, and he later had surgery for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. He returned in 2017 but continued to struggle, finishing the season with a 6.70 ERA and 6.37 FIP in 18 starts.

After putting up a 6.00 ERA in four starts to begin the 2018 season, Harvey was moved to the bullpen by the Mets. He disagreed with the move and had a 10.50 ERA in four relief appearances.