Mets, Boras at odds over Harvey's innings
The division-leading New York Mets might have an unlikely opponent to fend off down the stretch: Mattt Harvey's agent, Scott Boras.
The controversial player agent is challenging the Mets' handling of the prized right-hander, who's fast approaching the two-year anniversary of his Tommy John operation. While general manager Sandy Alderson insists the team is closely monitoring Harvey's workload, which currently sits at 166 1/3 innings, Boras claims the Mets are disregarding expert medical opinion and putting his client's health in jeopardy.
Boras contends that doctors, including Harvey's world-renowned surgeon Dr. James Andrews, have recommended the pitcher be capped at 180 innings this season, leaving him available for a maximum of just two more starts, including the playoffs.
"This is not a club's decision. This is a doctor's decision," Boras told Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. "Any club that chooses to defy a surgeon's wishes is putting the player in peril."
Alderson, meanwhile, says the club has a "soft" limit on Harvey's innings, an assertion Boras takes issue with. "There are no soft numbers," he said. "This is not a negotiation."
Harvey, who complained of feeling weak and dehyrated during and after Wednesday's start, has looked no worse for wear in his first season post-elbow surgery. Prior to his most recent outing, Harvey had fired eight straight quality starts.
GETTING BETTER WITH TIME
| Month | IP | SO | ERA |
|---|---|---|---|
| April | 26.2 | 31 | 3.04 |
| May | 40.0 | 40 | 3.15 |
| June | 32.2 | 25 | 2.76 |
| July | 33.2 | 29 | 2.67 |
| Aug/Sept | 33.1 | 33 | 1.35 |
According to Heyman, it wasn't until an email late last month that Boras approached the Mets about the 180-inning limit, which Alderson argues was never discussed in consultation with the doctors and medical practitioners.
"For a guy to say to us on the 29th of August, '180 innings and then you're going to shut him down ...' don't call me seven months later and tell me you're pulling the rug out from under me, not after all we've done to protect the player," said Alderson, who insists all parties involved agreed to Harvey's handling before the start of the season.
The Mets have said they will skip Harvey's turn in the rotation at least once before the end of the season, but the club has yet to announce a hard limit for the 26-year-old pitcher. His next scheduled start is Tuesday against the division-rival Washington Nationals.