Mets players come to Matt Harvey's defense

Less than 24 hours after the New York Mets opted to part ways with Matt Harvey, his teammates opened up on the matter.

"I've seen pretty much everything happen in this game," reliever Jerry Blevins told Kevin Kernan of The New York Post. "It was a move I think the Mets had to make and I think Matt made a move he needed to make. I think Matt needed a fresh start. He has some quality stuff and I think he has a lot of big league time left in him. Sometimes you just need a change of scenery for your career to blossom again. I just hope he doesn't end up in our division."

After pitching as one of the game's best in 2012 and 2013, Tommy John surgery forced Harvey out for all of 2014, only to see the veteran starter return to form in 2015.

It's been a tumultuous stretch for Harvey ever since - both on and off the field - leading to the Mets removing him from the starting rotation this year. That didn't work out, either, with Harvey struggling out of the bullpen, forcing the front office to make the inevitable decision to demote the right-hander to the minors, which Harvey refused.

"I could not imagine him accepting an assignment," Jay Bruce said. "You pitch and play long enough you have earned the right to refuse an assignment. I don't know of many guys in his shoes who would have accepted it. I think he can get a clean slate somewhere else and is probably looking forward to that."

The Mets are reportedly willing to eat a "significant" amount of Harvey's $4.5 million salary and have seven days to trade him. If that doesn't come to fruition, Harvey will become a free agent.

"I just wish him the best. This happens a lot. It’s a little more of a bombshell here in New York just because of circumstances and the history here with the media and Matt," Bruce added. "You see where guys get a new start and they thrive. I want him to have success and get back to where he feels like he is himself. We'll just have to see."

(Photo courtesy: Action Images)