Matt Harvey reflects on missing the 2014 season

In an article he wrote for The Player’s Tribune, Matt Harvey provided an inside look into how he dealt with Tommy John surgery, how he spent his year away from the mound, and what it means for him to be back in action.

Harvey, who underwent the surgery in October of 2013, was initially hopeful of being able to return to the majors last season, but the decision was made to have Harvey make his official return in 2015.

On his mindset while missing last season, Harvey wrote:

"Up to that point, I had worked so hard for the Mets. Now I had to just wait. As an athlete, being on the sidelines makes you feel useless. I felt helpless because I wanted to contribute. An injury makes you invisible."

On his first practice post-surgery, Harvey said:

"I tossed 20 strikes in a row. My arm felt great. The surgeon said he didn’t expect to ever hear from me again. My arm was as strong as the day before my surgery, he told me. I had to take it slow and stick to a strict throwing regimen, but there was light at the end of the tunnel. At the 10 month mark, I was back to throwing 95."

A great quote from Harvey is what he learned from having to undergo surgery and the rehab process:

"In the end, maybe my surgery and my trip were the best things to happen to me. I had to embrace being alone, like a pitcher on the mound. I had to go through rehab to prove to myself that there’s nothing I’d rather do than be a pitcher."

The article is a really cool look into the mind of an athlete, and one where Harvey opens up not just about his career, but some personal thoughts as well. It’s pretty close to a must-read.