New York Mets star pitcher Matt Harvey visited Dr. James Andrews on Monday for a second opinion on his partially torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) and has opted to delay Tommy John surgery in order to pursue a program rest, and rehabilitation for 6-8 weeks, followed by an attempt to ramp up the arm with some light throwing eventually leading to simulated games to see how his elbow responds.
While the results of Dr. Andrews examination are unknown, it is important to note that there have been very few pitchers over the years who have been successful with a rest and rehabilitation program solving a partially torn UCL issue. However, Tommy John surgery at this point would almost certainly end Matt Harvey’s chances of pitching in the 2014 season, and a two or three month delay would still likely leave him ready to go for spring training in 2015. For Harvey, there is nothing to lose at this point.
The injury is still a major blow to the Mets and the 24-year-old star whose emergence was the lone bright spot in what has been a dismal year for New York’s “other” team.
The injury just goes to show that even if a team is careful with a young pitcher, arm injuries still occur. The Mets had been extremely cautious with their young ace all year. They had him on a plan where he would be shut down once he pitched 200 innings this season (he is currently at 178 1/3) and they even gave him extra rest, skipping starts such as the one before Harvey started the all-star game. Manager Terry Collins along with the Mets pitching coaches are certainly not to blame here.
Harvey has been brilliant this year, earning the All-Star Game start and has a 2.27 ERA (159 ERA+), 0.931 WHIP and 6.16 K/BB ratio this year. His 191 strikeouts (in 178 innings) leads the National League.
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