Report: Harvey Likely To Pitch Game 3, Game 8 To Start 2015 Season

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Mark your calendars.

According to the New York Post, Mets pitcher Matt Harvey -- who missed all of last season after undergoing Tommy John surgery -- will likely make his first start of 2015 on April 9 against the Nationals in Washington, DC.

His second start, the newspaper reports, is expected to be against the Phillies on April 14 at Citi Field.

Manager Terry Collins has told reporters that the ace will not be skipped to start the season, but he hasn't announced his rotation order, and likely won't do so until opening day gets closer.

Bartolo Colon and Zack Wheeler are reportedly the favorites to get the ball on opening day against the Nats on April 6.

"It's the same thing I told Matt Harvey," pitching coach Dan Warthen said when explaining why the 25-year-old won't start the first game of the season. "We had a Rookie of the Year. We had a guy that made 33 starts. We had another guy that went 200 innings and is a good teammate.

"Matt will say the same thing: 'I'm a good teammate. I plan on being the No. 1 guy for many years to come, but right now I'm probably not the one that is deserving.'"

The right-hander showed off a nasty curveball during his second batting practice session on Monday. He'll make his Grapefruit League debut on Friday against the Tigers at Tradition Field.