Matt Harvey looks back at his catcher John Buck after...

Matt Harvey looks back at his catcher John Buck after San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey hit a two-run home run in the first inning of a game at AT&T Park. (July 8, 2013) Credit: Getty Images

The Mets might skip Matt Harvey's start Saturday against the Pirates, a concession they hope will cut down on his heavy workload and perhaps help him deal with a blister on his right index finger.

However, manager Terry Collins reiterated Tuesday that he has no apprehension about Harvey pitching in Tuesday's All-Star Game at Citi Field.

"Whatever they decide is their call," Harvey said Monday night, when he battled command issues against the Giants. "I'm going to prepare like I have a start."

Harvey said he's dealt with the blister in his last three starts. This week, in an effort to help him manage the condition, the Mets skipped Harvey's regular bullpen session. Collins said Harvey's command issues might have been a product of the skipped session.

Said Harvey: "I'm not going to make an excuse for poor performances."

Collins said Harvey will throw a bullpen for Saturday, even though Carlos Torres might make the start instead.

Meanwhile, Collins and pitching coach Dan Warthen will huddle about how to cap Harvey's workload, though a six-man rotation is not on the table.

"We don't have the people," Collins said. "But we'll start to limit it various ways to make sure he's still strong and pitching well at the end of the season."

Harvey is on pace to throw nearly 240 innings while the Mets want to keep his innings total in the low 200s.

Extra bases

Zack Wheeler, a former Giants prospect, faces Matt Cain in Wednesday's series finale. The Mets acquired Wheeler in the 2011 trade that sent Carlos Beltran to the Giants . . . Josh Satin started at first base against Giants lefty Barry Zito.Collins said Satin will also start ahead of Ike Davis on Sunday when the Mets are scheduled to match up against Pirates lefty Jeff Locke.

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