Mets designates Harvey for assignment

New York Mets starting pitcher Matt Harvey will be designated for the assignment.

The New York Mets will appoint starting pitcher Matt Harvey for the assignment, general manager Sandy Alderson announced Friday.

The team asked Harvey to accept a league assignment, but he refused, Alderson said.

"It arrived a long time ago," Alderson said at a news conference on Friday. "This is something we have tried to address, we have had problems, we have fought with more than two management regimes."

Harvey was selected by the Mets in the first round in 2010. He debuted in New York with 2012 and quickly reached the star status, registering a 2.73 ERA in 59.2 innings pitched. One season later, Harvey was an All-Star, recording a 2.27 ERA while striking out 191 batters.

Harvey underwent Tommy John surgery in October 2013 and missed the entire 2014 season. He returned in 2015 and helped the Mets reach the World Series. But, Harvey backed away quickly. He fought injuries in 2016 and 2017, with just 35 starts.

This season, Harvey has had problems with a 7.00 ERA. He was moved to the bullpen after delivering six runs in a start April 19 against the Braves, but never found a rhythm in a relief role, allowing seven runs in four appearances.

"The movement to the bullpen was dramatic in itself," said Alderson. "I think that, at this point, pragmatism, realism far exceeds other considerations."

Mets manager Mickey Callaway said he felt like he had failed Harvey.

"We thought that, from our evaluation in spring training, we could take it where we wanted it to be and we did not," Callaway said. . "We try things, it's more a feeling that when your players are not successful, you feel it."

The Mets opened 2018 with a record of 11-1, but have since dropped to the back of the group, since they are currently in 17-12.