CHICAGO — If Matt Harvey is going to represent his franchise in the All-Star Game, potentially as the National League's starting pitcher, the Mets might have to adjust their pitching plans.
Pitching coach Dan Warthen told The Post yesterday Harvey is scheduled to pitch the Mets' final game before the All-Star break, on July 14 in Pittsburgh. If Harvey makes that start, it likely would remove him from consideration for starting the All-Star Game at Citi Field two nights later.
But before the Mets lost 5-4 to the White Sox Tuesday night at U.S. Cellular Field, manager Terry Collins said Harvey's schedule is something he isn't too concerned about at this point.
"That is [20] days away, a lot could change," Collins said, referring to postponements that could alter the rotation. "But if he gets picked to start the game, I would think we would adjust it."
All-Star rosters are set to be unveiled on July 7, but the All-Star managers typically don't announce their starting pitchers until the day before the game. That would put the Mets in the position of needing advance notice from NL manager Bruce Bochy if Harvey was going to receive the assignment. According to the collective bargaining agreement, a pitcher used on the Sunday before the break can't pitch more than an inning in the All-Star Game. Typically, the starting pitcher goes at least two innings.
"I haven't talked to Bruce — I'm sure that's the last thing on his mind right now," Collins said.
Harvey (7-1, 2.05 ERA) was told yesterday that his next turn in the rotation will come on Friday at Citi Field against the Nationals. He would then pitch July 3 at Citi Field against the Diamondbacks and July 8 in San Francisco before taking the ball in Pittsburgh on July 14.
Collins' flexibility comes from a scheduled off day on July 11. Harvey is now scheduled to pitch on five days' rest on his final start before the break, but could be adjusted to pitch on normal rest on July 13 in Pittsburgh. That would give him two days' rest between pitching for the Mets and potentially in the All-Star Game. Though not ideal, it could be enough to let Harvey throw 30-40 pitches in the All-Star game.
"I haven't even thought about it," Harvey said, referring to the Mets' rotation heading into the break. "I don't even know what date the All-Star Game is. Obviously the biggest concern is pitching every fifth day here for the Mets. We need to win as many ballgames before the break as we can and whatever they decide I'll be all for it, going out there to do everything I can."
The Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw, who is 5-5 with a 2.06 ERA, is Harvey's primary competition for the start, but with the Mets hosting the game Harvey has to be considered the favorite.
Harvey said he was glad to find out he will be pitching Friday on four days' rest this week instead of Saturday on five. He threw only 72 pitches in six shutout innings against the Phillies on Sunday.
"Everything is feeling good, the mechanics are right where I want them," Harvey said. "It was one of those where I didn't really feel like I needed the extra day. Obviously I don't make the decisions and they were going to discuss the situation [Monday] and let me know, so coming in today they told me it was Friday and I'm excited."
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