Matt Harvey, Royals Reportedly Agree to Minor League Contract

Kyusung Gong/Associated Press

As a member of the New York Mets, Matt Harvey was one of the biggest reasons the Kansas City Royals won Game 5 of the 2015 World Series en route to capturing the title. Now he may help the club get back to the postseason. 

According to MLB Network's Jon Heyman, Harvey is joining Kansas City on a minor league deal with an opportunity to crack the starting rotation. 

Harvey was a key player for the Mets when the club battled the Royals in the 2015 Fall Classic. During a masterful Game 5 performance, Harvey convinced then-manager Terry Collins to let him attempt a complete game in the ninth inning with a 2-0 lead despite already exceeding 100 pitches. 

The righty allowed a leadoff walk and an RBI double before being promptly pulled. Kansas City would tie the game before winning in the 12th inning to capture its second World Series in franchise history. 

The 31-year-old hasn't been the same pitcher since. His 2016 ended in June because of thoracic outlet syndrome, and injuries only continued to pile up over the years. 

The Mets finally designated him for assignment in May 2018 after a brief stint in the bullpen. 

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The Los Angeles Angels gave him 12 starts last season, but he recorded a 7.09 ERA, 1.542 WHIP and 39 strikeouts in 59.2 innings. 

Kansas City isn't expected to contend for a title this year, but with Major League Baseball expanding the playoffs to 16 teams in 2020, a shot at the postseason is at least more realistic. That becomes more probable if Harvey is able to regain his form.

In the meantime, it's a low-risk move for a Royals team in need of healthy arms in the short term.

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