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Matt Harvey impresses in return, back to his All-Star form?

By Josh Criswell

Aug 18, 2013; San Diego, CA, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Matt Harvey (33) throws during the first inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 18, 2013; San Diego, CA, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Matt Harvey (33) throws during the first inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mets pitcher Matt Harvey made an impressive return from Tommy John surgery, pitching six shutout innings in his first appearance since 2013. 

Matt Harvey was a beacon of light for the New York Mets in his first full season with the team in 2013. For a franchise that has struggled incredibly during much of the past decade, his emergence was a reason to believe there was finally a light at the end of the tunnel.

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Harvey’s success was recognized by those outside of New York as well, he was the National League’s starting pitcher for that year’s All-Star Game which was played at the Mets’ home stadium Citi Field.

Then an injury just over a month later turned for the worse and forced Harvey to get the once-dreaded Tommy John surgery, bringing Mets fans back down to earth. Harvey returned to the mound on Thursday and made an impressive statement in his first game back in over a year and a half.

The 26-year old, know fondly by Mets fans as the Dark Knight of Gotham, pitched six shutout innings against the division rival Washington Nationals. Harvey had nine strikeouts as well, leaving all signs pointing towards him being almost back to his 2013 All-Star form, if not there already.

Harvey left today’s game with the Mets leading 6-0, another promising sign for the organization. As dominant as great starting pitchers are, they can only pitch once every five games. If the bats come alive as they did today against the Nationals, the Mets could be a serious threat in the NL East this year.

The Mets are on a mission to make their first postseason appearance since 2006.

But Harvey looked more than just good today, he looked All-Star good. If he is able to return to his All-Star caliber form of two seasons ago, the rest of the National League could be in trouble for the foreseeable future.

The most important thing for the organization at this point will be taking Harvey’s return as slowly as necessary. The last thing this team needs is their star pitcher to suffer from chronic injuries, just like they experienced for years with Johan Santana throughout the early 2000s. Considering he was pulled just six innings into a shutout, the Mets appear to be handling the situation as carefully as they can.

Despite his 19-month absence from the game, Harvey reminded all of us why he was regarded as one of the most promising pitchers in the game before his injury. From the looks of today’s performance, he has not missed one beat.

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