Sandy Alderson: Matt Harvey may not be available for entirety of playoffs

Matt Harvey will make no more than four more regular-season starts, according to Mets general manager Sandy Alderson.

New York Mets general manager Sandy Alderson met with reporters on Monday to clarify starting pitcher Matt Harvey's availability as the team makes a playoff push and the righthander faces a 180-innings limit on the year.

Speaking before Monday's game against the Washington Nationals, Alderson told reporters that he is under the impression that Harvey will make at least two more regular-season starts before starting in the playoffs.

Harvey has pitched 166 1/3 innings so far this season, and has been averaging just under seven innings per start.

His next start will be on Tuesday against the Nationals. If the team needs him, Harvey could pitch during the team's final series of the year, again against Washington in October. Whether he will pitch beyond that, however, is unknown

“I can't sit here and say [Harvey] is going to be available for the entirety of the playoffs,” Alderson told reporters.

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Doctors have not recommended a plan for Harvey to pitch out of the bullpen, so Alderson has ruled that option out. Alderson also announced that the Mets plan to go to a six-man starting rotation that includes righthander Logan Verrett making starts in place of Harvey.

Harvey and Dr. James Andrews, who performed the righthander's Tommy John surgery following the 2013 season, are reportedly on board with Alderson's plan. Alderson has not been able to reach Harvey's agent, Scott Boras, but made a proposal for Harvey to reach 180 innings heading into the final series against the Nationals and then re-evaluate his availability.

On Sunday, Harvey wrote in The Player's Tribune that he would be with the team in the playoffs after previously saying that 180 innings was his limit.

“There has never been a doubt in my mind: I will pitch in the playoffs. I will be healthy, active and ready to go,” Harvey said. “I am communicating with my agent, my doctor, Sandy and the entire Mets organization. I can assure everyone that we’re all on the same page. Together, we are coming up with a plan to reach an innings limit during the season. It will be a compromise between the doctors and the Mets organization to get me, and the team, to where we need to be for our postseason run.”

- Christopher Chavez