PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- This was supposed to be the final Matt Harvey Day of spring training for the New York Mets. Instead, it is a waiting game to learn more details about his undisclosed medical issue.
Harvey was scratched from Tuesday’s Grapefruit League start with what the team labeled a “non-orthopedic” medical issue. That means it is not a shoulder or an elbow or a knee.
What is it? Sandy Alderson said he could not disclose the issue.
Harvey, who turned 27 on Sunday, reported the issue to the team personnel on Monday morning, according to Alderson.
Initially, team officials expressed little alarm and said Harvey would proceed with Tuesday’s start. That got amended in the late afternoon, with even Harvey’s status for Opening Day on Sunday in Kansas City now uncertain, even if the issue might not be overly serious.
With Harvey scratched on Tuesday, Terry Collins expected Sean Gilmartin to get the start opposite Miami Marlins left-hander Chris Narveson at 1:10 p.m. ET (SNY). Gilmartin is competing with Logan Verrett for the long-relief role.
Read the latest roster projection (assuming a healthy Harvey) here.
TUESDAY’S NEWS REPORTS:
Travis d'Arnaud told Pete McCarthy on WOR he isn’t sure what the precise issue with Harvey is, but he is praying for the ace. Listen here. Read columnist Kevin Kernan’s take in the Post and news stories on Harvey in the Post, Times, Newsday, Record and at NJ.com and MLB.com.
Asdrubal Cabrera logged five innings at shortstop in his first Grapefruit League game since March 10 and Bartolo Colon allowed three runs in six innings, but the Mets lost to the Cardinals, 3-1, Monday in Jupiter. Cabrera is due to get 10 at-bats on the minor-league side on Tuesday, according to Collins. He should then play in the final three exhibition games, including two in Las Vegas against the Chicago Cubs. The Mets are winless in their past 11 games. Read more in the Post, Record, Newsday and at NJ.com and MLB.com.
Ex-Met Bobby Parnell was released by the Tigers despite improved velocity this spring training compared with 2015.
Before the Harvey situation erupted, the Mets planned to start Noah Syndergaard in Game 2 in Kansas City, with Steven Matz available to work in relief that day. Then Jacob deGrom was due to get the April 8 home opener against the Philadelphia Phillies. Now? Stay tuned, depending on developments with Harvey’s health.
The Atlanta Braves are trying to follow a Mets-type model aiming for resurrection, Fred Kerber writes in the Post.
From the bloggers ... Faith and Fear attempts to take a spring-training game semi-seriously. ... Mets Report is concerned about Harvey.
BIRTHDAYS: Billy Beane turns 54. ... Scott Atchison is 40. ... Alex Ochoa is 44. ... Eric Gunderson is 50.
TWEET OF THE DAY:
Just a little Monday morning eye candy! #SpiritCommPark @Mets @Spirit_B4B #LetsGlow pic.twitter.com/qXeZs6diRp
— Columbia Fireflies (@ColaFireflies) March 28, 2016
YOU’RE UP: On a scale of 1 to 10, how concerned are you about Harvey?
