The change was for the best, and yes, Matt Harvey deserves a chance with another team. That was the word from Harvey’s teammates, who called…
The change was for the best, and yes, Matt Harvey deserves a chance with another team.
That was the word from Harvey’s teammates, who called the move a “bombshell’’ and “shocking’’ after they found out the right-hander rejected a minor league assignment and was designated for assignment by the Mets before Friday night’s 8-7 loss to the Rockies at Citi Field.
Perhaps the Dark Knight will rise again.
“I’ve seen pretty much everything happen in this game,’’ veteran reliever Jerry Blevins told The Post. “It was a move I think the Mets had to make and I think Matt made a move he needed to make. I think Matt needed a fresh start. He has some quality stuff and I think he has a lot of big league time left in him. Sometimes you just need a change of scenery for your career to blossom again. I just hope he doesn’t end up in our division.’’
Blevins texted with Harvey after the move was made.
Another veteran, Jay Bruce, put Harvey’s Mets career in perspective.
“Matt’s had a lot of ups and downs here, some of the highest ups and some of the lowest downs,’’ said Bruce, who has been shifted to first base for the best of the team. “I just wish him the best. This happens a lot. It’s a little more of a bombshell here in New York just because of circumstances and the history here with the media and Matt. You see where guys get a new start and they thrive. I want him to have success and get back to where he feels like he is himself. We’ll just have to see.’’
Bruce said he thought there was no way Harvey would go to the minor leagues.
“I could not imagine him accepting an assignment,’’ he said. “You pitch and play long enough you have earned the right to refuse an assignment. I don’t know of many guys in his shoes who would have accepted it. I think he can get a clean slate somewhere else and is probably looking forward to that.
“This is business. Everybody is trying to get the best product out of people playing. Matt was always good to me.’’
The Mets found out about the Harvey move in a team meeting right before batting practice.
“It’s a volatile game,’’ Brandon Nimmo said. “I want what’s best for the Mets and for Matt. We respect both of their choices.’’
Zack Wheeler surrendered five runs in the first inning Friday, but said this was not a Harvey letdown.
“Not at all. I was here to pitch today and that was all that I was worried about,’’ Wheeler said. “I think we have to keep our head down and keep moving. It’s unfortunate to see something like that happen. But it’s part of the game.’’
