ATLANTA — The 2017 season, at least the beginning, was not supposed to be easy for Matt Harvey. After he underwent an operation last July to alleviate thoracic outlet syndrome, the Mets believed it would take 10 months before he regained his full strength and velocity.
Although he showed signs of improvement late in spring training and even flashes in April, Tuesday’s start in a lethargic 9-7 loss to the Atlanta Braves seemed to provide evidence that he was not yet back in peak condition.