New York Mets pitcher Matt Harvey’s season is likely over.
In a press conference Thursday, Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said Harvey has been diagnosed with “symptoms consistent with thoracic outlet syndrome.” Harvey and the Mets are considering surgery, which would end his season, with a decision likely to come after next week’s All-Star break.
Recovery time is expected to take four months, forcing him out of action until November.
Specialist Dr. Robert Thompson examined Harvey in St. Louis.
“I think you can bounce back from it, but everybody’s different, as we know, anytime you have surgery. So there’s a level of concern,” Mets manager Terry Collins told the Associated Press on Thursday. “But certainly, you can’t be very excited about it. You just don’t know.”
According to mayoclinic.org, “thoracic outlet syndrome is a group of disorders that occur when the blood vessels or nerves in the space between your collarbone and your first rib (thoracic outlet) become compressed. This can cause pain in your shoulders and neck and numbness in your fingers.”
The Mets began a key series Thursday night at home against the NL East-leading Washington Nationals, who sit four games up in the standings on their division rivals.
Harvey was placed on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday. He first alerted the Mets of his shoulder discomfort and numbness in his fingers after a start Monday.
Harvey is 4-10 and has an ERA of 4.86 with 76 strikeouts and 25 walks in 92 2/3 innings.
• Kevin Leitzell can be reached at kleitzell@washingtontimes.com.
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