S AN FRANCISCO — New York Mets right-hander Matt Harvey will skip his scheduled start on Saturday against the Pittsburgh Pirates, making it even more likely he could start the All-Star game.
Manager Terry Collins made the announcement before the Mets’ series finale Wednesday with the San Francisco Giants. He says a minor blister has recently bothered the young ace.
Harvey is a top candidate to start the All-Star game for the National League next Tuesday night at Citi Field, the Mets’ home.
“No. 1, he’s thrown 130 innings and he’s going to be limited this summer,” Collins said. “Part of the reason is also his blister issue.”
“We need to back him off and now is a good time,” Collins said. “If he pitches in the All-Star game he’ll be ready for it.”
Harvey is 7-2 with a 2.35 ERA and leads the league with league with 147 strikeouts.
The 24-year-old Harvey said being ready to pitch in the All-Star game didn’t have much to do with the decision to skip his next start.
“My goal is to finish a full season,” he said. “The last thing I want to do is find myself at 210 innings at the very beginning of September and get shut down again. That was not fun. So finishing a whole season is definitely important, and I know it’s important to them, as well as it is for me.”
Harvey matched his career high with 121 pitches in the Mets’ 16-inning win over the Giants on Monday. San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy will guide the NL team and yet to make an announcement.
Bochy hinted at the likelihood about a week ago, but St. Louis ace Adam Wainwright is in the mix.
Collins will also be a part of the All-Star Game as a member of Bochy’s coaching staff.
Harvey said the blister began to bother him during his start against Washington on June 28.
“Obviously I don’t like not playing or being able to participate,” Harvey said. “But I think in the long run I’d rather miss a start now than miss all of September and not be able to pitch because of an innings limit.”
Collins says Harvey will throw limited innings this season, but the number hasn’t been determined.
“I don’t have a say in really what goes on,” Harvey said. “Right now everything feels fine, but they feel like at 130-plus innings, whatever I have, in order to stay on path for a full season, they felt this was a good time to skip, so I’m on board for that.”
Carlos Torres (0-1, 0.51 ERA) will replace Harvey at Pittsburgh.
