BALTIMORE — Matt Harvey’s season turned south beginning with his return to Citi Field last month, but the former Dark Knight will receive a shot at redemption against the Mets on Wednesday.
On May 12 — in his first appearance at Citi since was traded by the Mets in 2018 — the right-hander allowed seven earned runs on eight hits over 4 ¹/₃ innings in what he termed an emotional afternoon. He had entered that game with a respectable 3.60 ERA.
Beginning with that shellacking, Harvey has pitched to a 12.90 ERA over five appearances. Harvey hasn’t completed five innings in a start since May 1. In his previous start, against the Twins on June 2, he was removed after allowing one earned run over three innings. Overall, Harvey is 3-6 with a 6.62 ERA.
James McCann started his fifth game at first base — a position he had never played as a professional before this season — allowing Pete Alonso to stay off his feet as the DH. McCain went 1-for-4 with a strikeout.
“I pride myself on being a baseball player and being athletic,” McCann said. “I am not saying I can go roam center field and do that with the best of them, but that is something that I do take a lot of pride in is understanding the movements of other positions, understanding the basics of each position and just being able to step up at a time where our team need it, that is big.”
Michael Conforto, who took batting practice before the game, said he hopes this weekend to run the bases — which is among the last hurdles he faces before he can be cleared to begin a minor league rehab assignment. Conforto has been on the IL since May 17 with a strained right hamstring.
Albert Almora Jr. was set to begin a rehab assignment for Triple-A Syracuse. The outfielder has been on the injured list since May 12 with a left shoulder contusion. … Luis Guillorme was continuing his rehab assignment for Syracuse and could be in position to rejoin the Mets when they return home this weekend.