Royals close to deal with former All-Star pitcher Matt Harvey
The Kansas City Royals may soon bring one of their rivals during the 2015 World Series, right-handed pitcher Matt Harvey, into the organization to help bolster their starting pitching depth.
Harvey, 31, and the club were nearing an agreement on a minor-league deal on Thursday, according to a source. The deal could be finalized in the next few days. When completed, Harvey would likely report to the Alternate Training Site (T-Bones Stadium) to workout with the club.
MLB Network’s Jon Heyman first reported the sides were close to a deal.
The Royals starting pitching depth has been strained with both Brad Keller and Jakob Junis behind schedule in their pitching progressions because of COVID-19 infections during spring training 2.0. Top pitching prospect Brady Singer will start the second game of the regular season in Cleveland on Saturday and make his MLB debut.
Harvey is believed to be in good physical condition, though he hasn’t faced live hitters in weeks.
The former ace of the New York Mets pitching staff, Harvey started the 2013 All-Star Game for the National League. He had Tommy John surgery following the 2013 season.
After sitting out the 2014 season, he helped lead the Mets to the NL pennant in 2015. Harvey started Game 5 of the World Series, the game in which the Royals clinched the championship behind a ninth-inning rally that forced the game into extra innings.
In 2016, Harvey had his first rib removed as part of thoracic outlet decompression surgery. He has struggled to bounce back following the second surgery. The Mets traded him to the Cincinnati Reds in 2018. Last season, he pitched for the Los Angeles Angels and in the minors for the Oakland Athletics.
Harvey had his better performances of 2019 at Kauffman Stadium against the Royals. He allowed one run on two hits and struck out five in seven innings to earn his first win of the season.
“After the first inning he kinda got locked in and kinda looked like the Matt Harvey of old,” the Royals’ Alex Gordon said after the game.
Last season, Harvey went 3-5 with a 7.09 ERA, 39 strikeouts, 29 walks and a 1.54 WHIP in 12 starts (59 2/3 innings). For his career, he’s 44-49 with a 4.04 ERA, 762 strikeouts, 232 walks and a 1.23 WHIP.
This story was originally published July 23, 2020 at 10:36 PM with the headline "Royals close to deal with former All-Star pitcher Matt Harvey."
