Mets won't jeopardize Harvey with heavy load

NEW YORK -- One byproduct of Matt Harvey's success this year is that he is on pace to throw more innings than he has before in his career. And it won't be particularly close.

After throwing 169 1/3 innings over two levels that season, Harvey is currently on track to throw 249 this summer -- a 47-percent jump that would be well above established industry standards of 15-20 percent. Modern thinking suggests that anything above that 15-20 percent threshold puts a pitcher at greater risk for injury -- which is why the Mets shut Harvey down last September, and will likely do the same this year with fellow top prospects Zack Wheeler and Rafael Montero.

So the Mets, while not ready to commit to another hard shutdown of Harvey, will certainly look for ways to scale back the second-year pitcher's workload going forward. Manager Terry Collins said he plans to speak to general manager Sandy Alderson and pitching coach Dan Warthen, among others, about the matter.

"As we continue into the season with three months to go, always remember something: we are not -- we are not -- going to hinder this kid's health by killing him now, when the future is so bright," Collins said. "With Wheeler coming, with Montero coming, all these young prospect pitchers coming, we're not going to jeopardize what's down the road for right now. I'm not going to do it. So we're going to monitor his workload, and hopefully he gets through the month of September."

The key for Harvey, Collins said, has been maintaining healthy eating habits and a grueling workout regimen, both of which keep him in top shape.

"He's done it great so far," Collins said. "But we've only played three months. We've got three more to go."