Rookie Pitcher Matt Harvey Tears UCL; Mets Fans Weep
The New York Mets cannot have nice things. An unprovable statement, yes, but an easy one to believe after hearing the news that the perpetually-struggling team just lost the most promising man in its pitching rotation.
.The New York Mets cannot have nice things. An unprovable statement, yes, but an easy one to believe after hearing the news that the perpetually-struggling team just lost the most promising man in its pitching rotation.
According to Newsday's Marc Carig, the Daily News' Andy Martino and WFAN's Mike Francesa, the Mets' rookie starting pitcher Matt Harvey, 24, underwent an MRI Monday morning and was diagnosed with a partial UCL tear. Mets GM Sandy Alderson confirmed the news in a short press conference this afternoon, but wouldn't confirm whether or not Harvey will undergo surgery. He's shut down for the rest of the season, though, that much is for sure.
This is fairly tragic news for the Mets organization: Harvey was the shining star at the center of an otherwise forgettable season: He pitched well, made the All-Star team, and endeared himself to New Yorkers, as seen in this Jimmy Fallon sketch:
If Harvey does go under the knife, he'll likely have Tommy John surgery, keeping him off a pitching mound for a full twelve months and dealing a huge blow to his development as a starting pitcher and the Mets' plans for next year. (Harvey was to anchor the team's pitching rotation, which is hard to do from a rehab clinic.) So far, Mets fans' reactions are a mix of panic, self-reflection, and utter resignation:
Don't ask me about Matt Harvey.
— Sean Fennessey (@sean_fennessey) August 26, 2013
Hoping my sons aren't alone when they hear this @AdamRubinESPN: Got confirmation: Parial UCL tear in elbow for Matt Harvey.
— T.J. Quinn (@TJQuinnESPN) August 26, 2013
This sucks. Matt Harvey pitching is good for baseball. RT @MarcCarig: Alderson confirms ligament tear, likely DL, can't rule out surgery.
— Jesse Spector (@jessespector) August 26, 2013
Given the Matt Harvey news, R.A. Dickey's most amazing accomplishment might have been not getting hit by lightning as a Met.
— Bruce Arthur (@bruce_arthur) August 26, 2013
FFFFFFFFF MT @Ken_Rosenthal Source: #Mets’ Harvey has partially torn UCL. Will be shut down. Determination on TJ surgery will be made later.
— Jonah Keri (@jonahkeri) August 26, 2013
The Mets are a 190-character Fiona Apple album title in professional sports franchise form.
— Patrick Daugherty (@RotoPat) August 26, 2013
lol @ being a mets fan
— maura johnston (@maura) August 26, 2013
If you know a Mets fan, hold them close tonight. Maybe things will turn around soon.
To be fair, the Mets have had such an incredible run of good luck over the past few years, they were due for a setback.
— Jonah Keri (@jonahkeri) August 26, 2013
(Ha ha ha, don't count on it.)