Mets pitcher Matt Harvey throws to first live batters since surgery
New York Mets right-hander Matt Harvey took another step on the road to recovery from Tommy John surgery on Friday, throwing his first pitches to a live batter during batting practice.
Harvey underwent the ligament replacement surgery in October 2013 and missed the entire 2014 season. He has not pitched in game since August 2013.
"I was in compete mode," Harvey said afterwards about throwing to batters. "Once I pick up a ball there's a mission, there's a goal."
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[daily_cut.MLB]
ESPN New York reports that Harvey is scheduled to make his Grapefruit League debut on March 6 against the Detroit Tigers.
In his first full big-league season in 2013, Harvey went 9-5 with a 2.27 ERA and 0.931 WHIP in 26 starts and 178.1 innings. He was also named an All-Star that year and was the starting pitcher for the game, which took place at the Mets' Citi Field.
Last weekend, manager Terry Collins told ESPN New York that Harvey's season debut won’t be delayed and that the right-hander will start one of the team's first five games.
Harvey was the seventh overall pick out of the University of North Carolina in 2010 and made his major-league debut for the Mets in July 2012.
- Phil Watson
