Chris Flexen and Drew Gagnon, two former pitchers in the New York Mets organization are currently excelling in South Korea’s baseball circuit, the KBO. Could a third former Met follow the same path? Matt Harvey, who fell out of favor not only with the team but also with MLB clubs, would be interested in pitching in Asia.
According to Jason Lee, Harvey, a former MLB All-Star, is apparently interested in playing in the KBO. The New York Post, through its reporter Joel Sherman, confirmed the report as being true.
Sherman said that KBO clubs have been talking to Harvey’s agents. The former Mets’ ace, who was a star from 2012 to 2015, has been staying in shape by throwing bullpen sessions regularly.
The former Mets’ ace wants to keep pitching
Harvey had expressed interested in keep pitching in the MLB, but after ending his time with the Angels in 2019, he hasn’t been able to entice clubs in America. That’s why pitching in Korea would be an option he should consider.
Harvey recently talked about his next options, but at the time, he didn’t mention Korea. He tried out for the Toronto Blue Jays in the offseason, but didn’t make a good enough impression.
“I hope somebody gives me a shot,” Harvey told Dan Martin of the New York Post. “I feel like I have many more years in me.”
The New York Mets made a serious postseason run that ended in the World Series. That year, Harvey returned from Tommy John surgery and he surpassed his innings limit in order to help the team compete. After that year, injuries and ineffectiveness have severely affected his career.
The most problematic ailment, so far, for Harvey’s career has been thoracic outlet syndrome. He had failed stints with the Cincinnati Reds and the Los Angeles Angels prior to his tryout with the Jays.