GM Sandy Alderson: Ace Matt Harvey Might Pitch In Arizona Fall League
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- One of the most dominant pitchers in the majors heading to the Arizona Fall League?
That's certainly not something you see every day.
But it could be on the horizon for Mets ace Matt Harvey.
General manager Sandy Alderson spoke on Monday night about Harvey, who is attempting to rehab his partially torn elbow as Tommy John surgery remains a possibility. Alderson said that Harvey could pitch in Arizona Fall League games to test his arm in a competitive environment.
"The strong desire is that we will finish this process within the six- to eight-week time frame," he said. "When it actually starts is a little bit unclear. We're in the six- to eight-week window, but when he actually starts throwing is a little bit unclear."
The Arizona Fall League is usually host to minor-league prospects -- not the faces of big-league pitching staffs. But pitching in the AFL would give the 24-year-old the opportunity to face live hitters.
But there's one, fairly significant issue: Harvey might not be eligible to pitch in the league.
According to NBC Sports, the Arizona Fall League's website states that "No players with more than one year of credited Major League service as of August 31 are eligible, except a team may select one player picked in the most recently concluded Major League Rule 5 Draft."
Harvey made his major-league debut in 2012 -- making 10 starts -- and then made 26 starts in 2013 before being placed on the disabled list at the end of August.
The 6-foot-4, 225-pounder was brilliant for the Amazin's in 2013. He was named the National League Pitcher of the Month in April and started the All-Star Game for the NL at Citi Field.
Getting barely any run support, Harvey was 9-5 in those 26 starts. He pitched to a 2.27 ERA. however, striking out 191 and walking 31 in 178 1/3 innings pitched. The fireballer held opponents to a .209 batting average.
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