Matt Harvey wants to return by August

Rehabbing Mets righthander Matt Harvey wants to be pitching by August, telling Sports Illustrated that coming back well ahead of the typical 12-month recovery time for Tommy John surgery will give him "peace of mind."

"Of course, I won't do it unless I'm cleared to do it," Harvey said. "But I want to pitch before the year ends. I want to make five, six, seven starts this year. I asked , 'If I want to come back in August, when do I need to start throwing off a mound?' They said June 10. So, that's what we have penciled in right now. That's the plan."

General manager Sandy Alderson said he generally understands why injured players prefer to return early, though to him it's an "open question" whether such a course is wise for those recovering from Tommy John surgery.

Alderson said the decision on Harvey will be "subject to the best medical information we can obtain from our doctors," and that he'd "reserve judgment" on whether 10 months is too soon for a return.

Said Alderson: "But the one thing we don't want to do is be put in a situation [where] someone, Matt or anyone else, has a setback because we've pushed a natural recovery process further than we should have."

Harvey also told the magazine he intends to pitch at about 240 pounds, about 20 pounds more than last season, because his body feels better with more weight.

Extra bases

Centerfielder Juan Lagares is expected back Wednesday . . . Catcher Travis d'Arnaud is still experiencing concussion symptoms . . . Righthander Dillon Gee (lat strain) will miss three starts, instead of just two, because he wants to pitch in a minor-league rehab game prior to his return.