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Prospect Matt Harvey Joins Floundering Mets Ahead Of Debut

NEW YORK (WFAN/AP) -- Monday night brought yet another loss for Mets fans.

But hey, look at the bright side. One of the team's top prospects is about to get his first start, and it sounds like he may be around for awhile.

Mets rookie Matt Harvey arrived at Citi Field on Monday and threw a bullpen session in preparation for making his major league debut later this week at Arizona.

Harvey was the seventh overall pick in the 2010 draft. The Mets put him on their taxi squad, plan to activate him Tuesday and then have the 23-year-old right-hander start on Thursday night.

"This kid's determined to be successful," said manager Terry Collins. "I am not worried about him having a bad start or two. He knows it's all part of the process."

Harvey joins a team that has starting pitchers Johan Santana, Dillon Gee and Mike Pelfrey on the disabled list. Harvey was 7-5 with a 3.68 ERA for Triple-A Buffalo.

Collins said he expects Harvey will remain in the rotation for the rest of the season. Harvey, meanwhile, will try to keep calm in his debut and not try to be a savior for the Mets.

"Just trust your stuff," said Harvey. "Don't try to be Superman, that's not possible. I can't be perfect. The only thing I can do is go out and do the best I can and try and win as many games as I can."

Harvey was raised in Connecticut and as a boy rooted for New York's other team.

"I was a Yankee fan growing up, unfortunately," he said.

What do you expect to see from Harvey? Let us know in the comments below...

(TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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