Former Mets All-Star Wants To Return To MLB After Year Away

His star faded fast, going from an All-Star and Top 5 Cy Young finisher to a struggling pitcher who has had a hard time keeping his ERA under 7.00 the past few years. But now former New York Met Matt Harvey wants to give it another shot in 2023.

According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, Harvey had knee surgery last month, and as a free agent this offseason, will be looking for another job with a major league team. 

Last winter, off-field troubles plagued Harvey, as he testified at the wrongful death trial of the late Los Angeles Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs and admitted that he distributed prohibited drugs of abuse. Harvey was suspended for 60 games by MLB. 

The 33-year-old signed a minor league deal with the Baltimore Orioles in the spring, and made 13 starts for their minor league affiliates, from High-A to Triple-A, posting a very reasonable 3.71 ERA with an 8-1 record. He never got a shot with the big club, however.

Harvey was part of the New York Mets' young phenom rotation in the mid-2010s, with Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard and Steven Matz. But he fell apart after the 2015 season, and has had ERAs since that time of 4.86, 6.70, 4.94, 7.09, 11.57 and finally 6.27 in 28 starts in his last major league season, 2021, with the Orioles. 

His agent, Scott Boras, says he has every intention of returning to the big leagues in 2023. Whether a major league signs him or not is another question entirely. 

Photo: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports