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Matt Harvey On WFAN: Mets' Starters Can't Worry About 6-Man Rotation

NEW YORK (WFAN) -- Dillon Gee will be back on the mound Wednesday in San Diego, which means the New York Mets' six-man rotation is now a reality.

Last week, pitching coach Dan Warthen said even the extra hurler, whose best alternative would have been the bullpen, was "tough to convince." But ace Matt Harvey -- as fiery a competitor as they come -- isn't about to waste too much energy on it.

"It's a situation that they feel is necessary right now," Harvey said Wednesday morning on WFAN's "Boomer & Carton" show. "For us as the starting staff, we're not doing our job if we start worrying about it."

Matt-Harvey
Matt Harvey (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

The Mets hope their plan will avoid an in-season shutdown or having to place innings limits on young starters Harvey, Noah Syndergaard and Jacob deGrom. The six-man rotation is expected to be a temporary solution, designed to shave off about four starts apiece from the three pitchers' workloads.

Bartolo Colon, Jon Niese and Gee -- who hasn't pitched since May 3 with a strained groin -- will also stay fresh for a potential run at the playoffs. The only concern is how the starters will respond to having unaccustomed extra rest.

"We have to just deal with it and figure out a way to stay sharp," said Harvey, who has already logged 66.2 innings in his first year back from reconstructive elbow surgery. "Like they said, if it shows that it's not working, then they'll figure something out."

"We have to do everything we can," he added. "And that's what we intend to do."

Listen to the entire interview below, which included Harvey's thoughts on the Rangers' playoff demise and Syndergaard's shaky outing on Tuesday. Before saying goodbye, Boomer was sure to thank Harvey for a heartfelt birthday text, which didn't sit well with Carton:

Matt Harvey

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