SAN DIEGO — Matt Harvey may have learned an important lesson about bullpen life on Friday: Be prepared.
The Mets right-hander, in his second appearance since his reassignment to the bullpen last weekend, was summoned for the ninth inning at Petco Park and scuffled, allowing a leadoff homer to Franchy Cordero in the Mets’ 5-1 victory over the Padres. Harvey also walked a batter before inducing a game-ending double play.
“I have to do more throughout the game to make sure I am ready,” Harvey said. “I didn’t know when they were going to put me in. Today I didn’t do a good enough job of getting loose. It’s something I will learn from and pick up some tips.”
In his first appearance in his new role, Harvey allowed one run over two innings on Tuesday against the Cardinals and declined to speak with reporters afterward. Harvey also brushed off reporters a day later. On Friday he declined to address his reasons for avoiding the media.
As for his difference in approach as a reliever, Harvey said: “There’s more throwing. You start a game, the next day you don’t do a whole lot. Now I have to be prepared every single day to come into a game. There is a lot more [throwing] involved on a daily basis.”
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