Harvey throws 'cut fastball'
Mets prospect Matt Harvey delivers a pitch for the St. Lucie Mets. (May 21, 2011) Credit: Preston Mack
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Matt Harvey, scheduled to pitch two innings in Friday's intrasquad game, was pulled one out short of that because of a bloody right thumb. The wound was self-inflicted, caused in part by the grip on two of Harvey's pitches: the two-seam fastball and circle changeup.
As Harvey releases the ball, the nail of his index finger digs into the base of his thumb, and by the second inning, it had opened a bloody cut. With two outs and Matt den Dekker coming to the plate, Terry Collins made his way to the mound to retrieve Harvey and end the inning.
"I took him out because of the thumb," Collins said. "I want him to pitch on Monday night and I don't need to have him cut that finger up any more."
Harvey threw mostly fastballs, in the range of 92-93 mph, during his abbreviated outing. His strikeout of Josh Satin came on a changeup. He allowed three hits, walked one and struck out one in 12/3 scoreless innings. On Monday night, Harvey will follow Dillon Gee in the Grapefruit League opener against the Nationals.
"I felt good and my body felt good," Harvey said. "It's just about getting into a rhythm."
The most impressive performance belonged to another of the Mets' top pitching prospects: Jeurys Familia. He did not allow a hit and struck out two with a walk in two innings.
"When you got a guy with that kind of arm, people don't hit him. It's not his fault that they go into deep counts," Collins said. "When you throw 98, you like to see some strikeouts, you like to see some swing-and-miss pitches. He's got 'em."
Nieuwenhuis impresses: Kirk Nieuwenhuis made a strong opening statement Friday by hitting a long home run off Daniel Herrera. Despite the offseason trade for Andres Torres, the Mets see Nieuwenhuis as a future centerfielder, and he could push for a backup job in spring training.
"He reminds me a little bit of Jim Edmonds," Collins said. "A little above average runner, but no fear. Great angles, go after any ball."
Nieuwenhuis, 24, is coming back from season-ending shoulder surgery but has no problems now. "You just got to go out there, put the injury behind you and keep playing," he said. "I feel good , I feel comfortable and I love playing it."
