Injured Mets ace Matt Harvey took a step forward in his recovery from Tommy John surgery, and has a clear schedule for the next step beyond that.
He threw from 120 feet for the first time, before Friday’s 3-2 11-inning loss to the Phillies, up from 90 feet. And a more important step will be when he first throws from a mound, which he said he expects to do June 10.
“It was great,” Harvey said. “Any progress you’re making and obviously right now it’s being able to move back and throw from a greater distance is a step in the right direction. Obviously [Friday] was good for me. Everything feels great. I’m just excited to keep moving forward.
“The ball’s coming out real easy right now. Obviously everybody knows if I could start throwing right now I’d probably would and be out in a game. But there’s a process. Although it’s slow and tedious, it’s healthy and obviously going in the right direction.’’
Harvey took 20 throws, and will increase distance in a month.
“We have June 10 penciled in,’’ Harvey said. “Things could change in the meantime. But as of now, that’s penciled in, and we’re been working on 120 for another three weeks and then move back to 150, and then jump into some flat ground and then off of a slope like I said June 10.’’
Lucas Duda sat out the game with food poisoning. He went to the hospital to get IVs, and despite returning for the game, he was so drained he actually fell asleep in the clubhouse. Duda is not expected to be available Saturday.
“I went to him in the third inning,” manager Terry Collins said. “He came out and sat on the bench I asked him how he was doing. He said OK, then he went back inside and just fell asleep. He’s just so drained I said he’s not going to be able to go.”
“They found it was food poisoning, so he was really, really sick. I’ll tell you as I sit here, he’s not going to play [Saturday]. There’s no way. You can’t go what he went through and have any energy, either.’’
Wilmer Flores was brought up from Triple-A Las Vegas to jump start the offense, and the hope was he could handle shortstop on defense. He went 2-for-5 and handled all five of his chances in the field, including starting a double-play ball.
“I saw him make the routine plays, which is what you want to have made. Saw him get a couple of hits,’’ Collins said. “First game, I thought he did well. So we’ll try him out there [Saturday].”
Collins said Jenrry Mejia is on an innings limit, and is not expected to throw more than 150 innings, likely coming in between 120-125.
Rafael Montero threw 5 ¹/₃ hitless shutout innings for Las Vegas, walking three and striking out five to lower his ERA to 3.67. … Las Vegas infielder/outfielder Eric Campbell is expected to join the Mets before Saturday’s game.