Mets' Matt Harvey Not Guaranteed Another Start, Says Mickey Callaway

After another poor start Thursday, Matt Harvey is no longer guaranteed a spot in the New York Mets rotation.

The 29-year-old allowed six runs in six innings against the Atlanta Braves, falling to 0-2 on the year. After the game, manager Mickey Callaway said he won't commit to another start for the right-hander, per Anthony DiComo of MLB.com.

In four starts this season, Harvey has a 6.00 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP. He has allowed at least four earned runs in each of his last three games. While he deserves credit for getting through an additional three innings Thursday after giving up six runs in the first three innings, he is not the same pitcher he was earlier in his career.

The pitcher was an All-Star in 2013 and finished fourth in the Cy Young voting that year after posting a 2.27 ERA. He missed all of 2014 after Tommy John surgery but returned strong in 2015 in helping the Mets reach the World Series.

Unfortunately, the injuries piled up as he needed surgery to repair his thoracic outlet syndrome, and he hasn't been as effective in the last three seasons. He finished 2017 with a career-worst 6.70 ERA.

The Mets do have options in the rotation if they don't want to go back to Harvey, most notably Jason Vargas. The free-agent addition has been out with a hand injury but is set to make a rehab start Sunday, per DiComo.

Tim Healey of Newsday broke down how the team could get away without letting Harvey pitch again:

Seth Lugo and Robert Gsellman could also be moved from the bullpen into the rotation after they each started games most of last season.

Meanwhile, Harvey could move into the bullpen or back down to the minors, neither of which are ideal for him as he approaches free agency following this season.