Harvey 'feels great' in rehab start with Cyclones

FISHKILL, N.Y. -- As Matt Harvey began his rehab assignment with the Brooklyn Cyclones on Saturday, it had been nearly two months to the day (June 14) since he had last pitched. 
It was a microcosm of a season filled with velocity and control issues. Harvey allowed one run on a hit, a walk and a stolen base on 18 pitches. He finished the evening by throwing a bullpen session in left field at Dutchess Stadium.
"Everything feels great," Harvey said after the start. "The arm feels great. I'm looking forward to my next outing and to get my rhythm and timing back."
The home team, the Hudson Valley Renegades, is an affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays. But seemingly the majority of fans were donning some sort of Mets garb.
Before his injury, Harvey had a 5.25 ERA in 13 starts with the Mets. He was placed on the 10-day disabled list in June with a fracture to the scapula bone in his throwing shoulder. He received a three-game suspension in May after not attending a game on a day he wasn't scheduled to pitch. And this is all after missing much of last season after surgery resulting from thoracic outlet syndrome.
Harvey said he was a little rusty and lacked command, but that it felt good for him to be out on a mound -- an experience a lot different than working from the bullpen.
"This is the first rehab start that I've ever done," Harvey said. "I'm trying to figure out how to go about getting your pitches by getting your work done and getting your arm where it needs to be."
Harvey mostly threw fastballs, and his velocity topped out at around 93 mph, which he said he was pleased with. As he extends his innings, he'll mix in more offspeed pitches.
Saturday's start actually marked the first time that Harvey had pitched with the Cyclones. After getting drafted in 2010 out of the University of North Carolina, Harvey started his career with Class A Advanced St. Lucie.
Harvey said he was happy to arrive at Dutchess Stadium and see people all over wearing his jersey. As of now, he doesn't know what the next step in his rehab process will be. He said he'll go back to New York and take instructions from the team. But he does expect to have more pitches and innings to work with in his next outing, wherever and whenever that may be.
"I don't want to start unless I'm fully ready to go," Harvey said, "and I'm able to compete and give us quality innings. There's no timetable on that, I guess. … It's good to get out there for the first time, and I'm excited for my next one."