PORT ST. LUCIE — The Mets made the obvious choice Thursday. Despite having a stable of four of the top young pitchers in the game ready to go and a 2015 All-Star in Jacob deGrom, naming Matt Harvey the 2016 Opening Day starter was the right choice for Terry Collins.
The Mets manager said that Harvey’s performance at the end of 2015, his first season back from surgery, and questions about Jacob deGrom’s availability played into the decision. DeGrom’s wife Stacey is expecting the couple’s first child April 5 and he will take his paternity leave and be there for the birth of his child.