The Mets' injured star is progressing steadily in his recovery.
Will Matt Harvey pitch for the New York Mets in 2014? That depends on how competitive the Mets are as the season wears on. Will the team be playing must-win games in September or simply playing to see what the prospects can do? We don't know that yet, but another big factor is Harvey's health.
For now, that portion of the equation looks good. Anthony DiComo reported today that Harvey has moved his rehab throwing distance from 90 feet to 120 feet. On June 10, or just about a month from now, he plans to pitch off of a mound for the first time since tearing the UCL in his throwing elbow last August.
Harvey underwent Tommy John surgery to repair the elbow ligament in October, so if he is called on to pitch competitively in September, he'll be less than a year removed from the operation. Even if the Mets are involved in a thrilling playoff hunt at the outset of autumn, it would still behoove them to make Harvey's best long-term interests a priority.