NEW YORK -- Matt Harvey's rise to the Majors was typical for a successful collegiate starting pitcher and seventh-overall pick. It never included a stop at Class A Short-Season Brooklyn, though. But on Wednesday night, Harvey found himself on the mound at MCU Park, the home of the Cyclones, for his second rehab start in his quest to return to the Majors following a stress injury to his right shoulder.
Harvey delivered 36 pitches (26 strikes) over three scoreless innings against the Aberdeen IronBirds, allowing one hit and no walks. He struck out the side on 10 pitches in the third inning. Before that, he induced three groundouts and two flyouts, while picking off a runner at second base to end the second.
Even better than the results, the right-hander said, was that his arm felt "great." Harvey's fastball velocity sat between 91-94 mph.
"Results are always good. As a pitcher, you always want to have results," Harvey said. "Like I said, the biggest thing is how I feel and how my arm's working and mechanics are going. We're definitely moving in the right direction."

Harvey has not pitched in the Majors since June 14, when he divulged he was experiencing arm fatigue. Before his placement on the disabled list, Harvey went 4-3 with a 5.25 ERA in 13 starts.
Harvey permitted one run on one hit, one walk and one stolen base on 18 pitches during his first rehab start with the Cyclones last Saturday.
The goal of the first start, Harvey said, was to get a feel for his timing and rhythm. He continued that Wednesday, but he worked more offspeed pitches into his repertoire, especially during the successful third inning.

"Big league guys can catch up to fastballs," Harvey said, "so you really have to fine-tune everything else. I was able to do that tonight, and we'll do that moving forward."
Right now, Harvey is focused on returning to the Mets and helping the club win as many games as possible going forward.
"That's the biggest thing," Harvey said. "My arm feels great right now. I was able to get three innings under my belt for the first time in a long time. I think the next one is trying to ramp up and go a little bit further and see where we go from there.
"Everything's getting close."
As for his next rehab start, Harvey isn't sure of when or where it will be, although it's likely the Mets will try their best to keep him on a five-day schedule. Regardless, Harvey feels his two starts with Brooklyn have him in a good place, with a higher pitch count on the horizon.
"To leave on a good note is definitely big moving forward," Harvey said.
With the Mets facing the crosstown-rival Yankees approximately 20 miles to the north on Wednesday, Harvey hoped to arrive at Citi Field in time for the end of the game.
After all, Harvey's goal is to be pitching there sooner rather than later.