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Mets DFA Matt Harvey after he refuses minor-league assignment

Mike Stobe / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Matt Harvey's time with the New York Mets appears to be coming to an end.

The Mets designated the former ace for assignment Friday after he refused a demotion to the minor leagues, per Anthony DiComo of MLB.com.

Mets general manager Sandy Alderson was emotional about the move when he addressed the media, calling it "the end of an era."

"He was appreciated for what he brought to the New York Mets," Alderson added.

The Mets have seven days to trade Harvey, and if they can't find a partner, he'll become a free agent, per The Athletic's Tim Britton.

This season, Harvey has struggled to an 0-2 record with a 7.00 ERA across eight appearances, including four starts. He was switched from the starting rotation to the bullpen by Mets skipper Mickey Callaway on April 21 and was not impressive in four appearances, allowing seven earned runs across six innings.

Related: Mets demote Matt Harvey to bullpen - and 'he's pissed off' and motivated

Callaway told reporters Friday that he'd wanted Harvey to rebuild himself in the minors like Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee famously did, but Harvey wasn't interested.

"We feel like we failed Matt Harvey," Callaway said, according to DiComo.

Following his demotion to the bullpen, Harvey reportedly left the Mets to go party at a club in Los Angeles while the team was in San Diego. A guest at the event told Page Six the 29-year-old was "stumbling around," while a different attendee said the pitcher was sober.

Harvey, who also goes by "The Dark Knight" nickname, has a history of disobedience. The pitcher was suspended three games in 2017 after he failed to show up to Citi Field on game day. A report from the New York Post claimed he was out partying until 4 a.m. the night before.

The one-time All-Star was once considered a top hurler in MLB. He'll end his Mets career with a 34-37 record and 3.66 ERA across 104 starts.

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