NEW YORK — Mets ace Matt Harvey threw off the main mound at Citi Field on Monday, the final step this season in his rehab program from Tommy John surgery last October.
Harvey, who won’t pitch this year, will now rest his right elbow so it continues to heal, and then begin his regular off-season work. New York general manager Sandy Alderson said everything the team wanted Harvey to accomplish this season has been accomplished, and he is considered on track and ready to go for spring training next year.
Harvey didn’t face hitters but simulated three innings and threw all his pitches besides his slider, because the team didn’t want him to put that kind of torque on his elbow yet.
Alderson said Harvey hit 95 mph on the radar gun pretty consistently.
Mets manager Terry Collins could hardly contain his excitement, saying the club tried to keep Harvey at about 80 per cent effort, and the All-Star right-hander still looked “very, very good.”
Collins said Harvey was happy and excited to be back on the mound.
“He was really impressive,” Collins said, adding that he anticipates Harvey’s return next spring being “a nice present.”
Alderson acknowledged that Harvey’s workload will likely be restricted in some way next season, but the Mets aren’t sure yet how they will go about that.
