Matt Harvey's Role Uncertain Gets Clean Slate Devin Mesoraco Starts For Mets

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Matt Harvey is in Los Angeles awaiting the Reds arrival.

Before the game on Tuesday night, the Reds traded Devin Mesoraco for Harvey, the Mets first draft pick in 2010 and the seventh pick overall.

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Mesoraco and Harvey both have a history of injuries.  Harvey missed the entire 2014 season with "Tommy John" surgery.  Mesoraco has been limited to 95 games the last three seasons with 56 of those coming last season.  He has appeared in 19 this season, including a pinch hit appearance for the Mets Tuesday night.

Harvey also has a history of being hard for management to handle.  Interim manager Jim Riggleman will give Harvey a clean slate.

"We have not nailed down when Harvey will pitch," Riggleman said.  "I talked to him last night.  He is in Los Angeles.  He is throwing significant bullpen seasons, lengthy sessions.  He is extending himself a little bit, thinking no matter where he signed, he'd pitch some length.  He's ready to do what we need him to do.  We will determine that in the next day or two.  I expect he will pitch in some capacity against the Dodgers but whether it is starting or relieving, I don't know yet."

When Riggleman said that Harvey is ready to do whatever the Reds want him to do, it runs counter to his reputation for demanding his role and resisting a demotion to the minor leagues  Harvey made eight appearances, four starts for the Mets this season.  He is 0-2 with an even 7.00 ERA.  He has allowed six home runs in 27 innings.

"Harvey was very excited," Riggleman said.  "He's anxious to help us and re establish his career. I think it's a good fit.  I will absolutely give him a fresh start.  So much of that can be blown out of proportion.  We've talked to a lot of people, who said, Matt Harvey's a good guy.  Some stuff got exaggerated.  That's in the past."

Mesoraco will get his fresh start with the Mets against the Reds after an awkward trip across the field last night.  He is in the lineup for the Mets, who have had both of their top catchers Jose Loboton and Travis d'Arnaud miss significant time with injuries.

Mesoraco has a new pitching staff to learn but Mets' manager Micky Calloway, the former Cleveland Indians pitching coach, doesn't see it as a problem.

"He knows their hitters better than anyone," Calloway said.  "He's going to call the game.  Zach Wheeler has to throw the ball over the plate, whatever, Devin calls.  Mesoraco has a very good reputation for leading a pitching staff.  His bat will be very helpful.  He's a guy who has done damage and been an All-Star."

The Reds starting catcher will be Tony Cruz, giving Tucker Barnhart a rest, Cruz was Yadier Molina's backup with St. Louis and spent Spring Training with the Reds.  He had a very good spring, the Reds nearly brought him with the team as a backup catcher/first baseman.  Cruz had been in Louisville.

Cruz played in 14 games at Louisville, hitting .170 with a home run and a double.