The Mets’ decision to adopt a six-man rotation is sparking plenty of debate in New York and around baseball, with some questioning if the move will work.
But sports agent Scott Boras believes the unorthodox decision just might be the best thing for his client Matt Harvey.
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The Mets made the move to limit the innings pitched for their young starters, including the 26-year-old Harvey, who had Tommy John surgery 19 months ago. Other young hurlers who will benefit from the limited workload include Noah Syndergaard, 22, and Jacob deGrom, 26. The other members of the rotation are veterans Bartolo Colon, Jon Niese and Dillon Gee.
While there has been some grumbling by Harvey and the other starters about the unusual rotation throwing off schedules, Boras told NJ.com he believes it will benefit Harvey.
"What Matt will be next year — back to full strength and having another 160 to 170 innings under his belt from this year — you basically have to titrate the process," Boras said. "You cannot expect — and certainly Matt expects it — but doctors will tell you that you have to titrate this process. You cannot come back and treat a season after Tommy John as if it is a normal season. It has to be treated with caution."
The Mets hope to limit Harvey to around 180 innings this year. Through 48 games, Harvey has worked 58 2/3 innings. He's pitched well with a 2.91 ERA and 0.989 WHIP. Still, the Mets plan to adhere to that limit, a prudent move with a staff ace coming off serious surgery. The six-man rotation will help achieve that.
Mets pitching coach Dan Warthen says the team could stick to the six-man rotation through mid-August.
“To the extent how you create a plan that's going to keep Matt's innings down, I think it's necessary," Boras said. "I think it's prudent. Certainly the talent that is on the Mets' pitching staff allows the creation of a process that allows six pitchers to pitch.”