New York Mets pitcher Matt Harvey did not attend Tuesday’s mandatory workout as his club gears up for Friday’s Game 1 of the National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Harvey eventually arrived at Citi Field to issue a statement and was remorseful for his actions. “Obviously today was not the greatest. The last thing I ever want to do is not be with my team. There’s no excuse. I screwed up,” he said, per MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo.
Harvey said he was stuck in traffic, which caused his absence, according to Paul Schwartz of the New York Post.
“‘I was doing some stuff, looked up and it’s 1 o’clock and said, ‘Oh s–t,'” Harvey said, according to manager Terry Collins, per Adam Rubin of ESPN.
According to Rubin, Collins said Harvey will be fined for missing the workout, adding it was “minor,” per Marc Carig of Newsday.
Third baseman David Wright didn’t shy away from the issue when addressing Harvey’s situation in front of the media.
“I’m concerned about the guys who are here. The guys who are here had a great workout,” Wright said, per DiComo.
The New York Post‘s Mike Vaccaro weighed in on Wright’s reaction:
Harvey is New York’s probable Game 3 starter for the NLDS, a contest slated for Oct. 12 in New York. The 26-year-old missed all of 2014 due to Tommy John surgery but has rediscovered his form, posting a 13-8 record with a 2.71 ERA this season.
This shouldn’t be as much of a concern for the Mets since they won’t require Harvey’s services right away. Reigning NL Rookie of the Year Jacob deGrom is starting Game 1 against the Dodgers. Noah Syndergaard will take the mound in Game 2, followed by Harvey when the series goes back to the Big Apple.
So long as Harvey is ready to roll for Game 3 in the Mets’ first home playoff contest since 2006, all will likely be forgiven.
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