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Scott Boras at odds with Mets over Matt Harvey's innings limit

Chris Cwik
·Staff writer
(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

How many innings should New York Mets pitcher Matt Harvey be allowed to throw this season? If you know the answer to that question, you could probably solve the team's latest feud with super-agent Scott Boras.

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Boras took the Mets to task recently, saying the club needs to shut down their star pitcher once he hits 180 innings, according to Jon Heyman of CBSSports. Harvey had Tommy John surgery in 2013, and this is his first full season pitching following the injury. Doctors have recommended a 180 innings cap for Harvey, and that seems to be the impetus behind Boras' opinion.

"This is not a club's decision. This is a doctor's decision," Boras said. "Any club that chooses to defy a surgeon's wishes is putting the player in peril."

The Mets, meanwhile, have said Harvey's innings limit has always been "soft." While doctors recommended 180 innings, general manager Sandy Alderson said they'll monitor Harvey on a "case-by-case basis."

Alderson's position seems to be that he intends to keep pitching Harvey, except for one more missed start, and that they would watch him closely and take it on a "case-by-case basis" should the Mets get deep into October. Alderson said it has been his understanding that they mostly need to avoid "fatigue" or a loss of "rhythm" (that means he can't be expected to pick up and pitch after a lengthy layoff).

It's easy to see both sides of the issue here. Harvey is already at 166 1/3 innings this season, so he would have about two more starts before he would be shut down for the season. With the Mets at the top of the division, the club obviously wants Harvey to be available for a possible playoff series.

Boras, on the other hand, doesn't want his client to be abused so that the Mets can win a few more games. For Boras, it's all about keeping Harvey healthy in the long-term. He believes the best way to do that is to listen to the doctors.

"These are doctors' opinions," Boras said. "And club officials are not determining how many innings he can pitch. Matt Harvey would love to pitch. But the surgeon who saved his career and other surgeons consulted have said that for maximum safety he is not to exceed 180 innings for the year."

Alderson admitted Harvey would likely be at a "slightly enhanced" risk by throwing so many innings, but added that he "doesn't need a medical degree to say that."

The situation is eerily similar to the one the Washington Nationals went through with Stephen Strasburg in 2012. Strasburg was shut down coming off Tommy John surgery, and did not pitch in the playoffs. The club was criticized for the move, though it should be noted that Strasburg has not suffered a significant injury since. 

If possible, Harvey would like to be available for the playoffs.

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The Mets now face the same dilemma. The popular saying is "flags fly forever," but what if it comes at the expense of losing one of your young, exciting stars? The Mets are going to be forced to make that choice soon.

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Chris Cwik is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at christophercwik@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Chris_Cwik