Harvey to make next scheduled start
The New York Mets still have faith in Matt Harvey.
After yet another disastrous start in a season that's spiraling out of control, the Mets announced Wednesday he'll remain in the rotation and will make his next scheduled start on Monday against the Chicago White Sox.
The 27-year-old suffered his league-leading seventh loss of the season Tuesday in Washington, allowing five runs on eight hits in five innings while striking out one - a career low - and walking two. His ERA ballooned to 6.08, and his 73 hits allowed lead all of baseball.
"I'm not giving up on him," manager Terry Collins told reporters before his team's Wednesday afternoon game against the Nationals, while also adding that he has no idea what's ailing his fallen ace.
Harvey did not speak to reporters after Tuesday's loss and again declined to comment Wednesday morning.
Collins refused to paint the Harvey dilemma as a total doom-and-gloom situation, instead offering up a few positives that he took from Tuesday's start.
"Even though his command wasn't good, we saw great movement on his fastball," Collins said. "We saw the velocity up. We saw the tightness of his slider."
The manager acknowledged fatigue could be playing a factor right now, but insisted Harvey is healthy. What he will do is continue to stand by his embattled right-hander and support him as he fights to regain his All-Star form.
"He was the best in baseball (in 2013). That's the guy we're trying to get back instead of 'woe is me,'" Collins said. "What he did last year, there's going to be a period he's got to recover. ... That's where I want the fight. That's where the fight has to be.
"Quit fighting yourself and just understand we're a support team here. We're in this together."