Mets: Matt Harvey looks rusty, Yoenis Cespedes hits a bomb in loss to Cardinals

The Mets may have lost Sunday’s game against the St. Louis Cardinals, but outfielder Yoenis Cespedes looks as locked on at the plate as anyone out there.

Matt Harvey‘s Mets Spring Training debut on Sunday was ruined by Aledmys Diaz and the Cardinals. Diaz’s three-run home run in the second inning left a sour note in the Dark Knight’s afternoon that had started out well.

Harvey struck out two, but had four runs charged to him over 1 and 2/3 innings. He was mainly sitting in the low-90s with his fastball but hit 94 mph a couple of times throughout the game. His changeup looked solid, so hopefully he can build on that for his next start.

This was Harvey’s first start since July when he underwent surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome.

After the game, Harvey noted how this Spring Training start was more about just getting back out there, and trying to get a feeling for being on the mound again.

“Overall, I’m happy with some of the pitches I made,” Harvey said. “I’m happy with the way I felt, the way the ball was coming out.”

The game would eventually end up being an offensive onslaught as the score shows.

As far as the Mets go, Yoenis Cespedes looks as ready as anyone for the season to start. His home runs are usually impressive, but the absolute bomb he hit to left center field in his first at bat was really something to behold.

He’d collect a second hit to right field later in the game to wrap up his day. This spring, he’s registered seven hits — two of them home runs — already in only 13 at bats. Here’s hoping he can keep that going into the season when it starts on April 3rd.

Bat-catcher extraordinaire, Luis Guillorme, also got into the offensive action. His three-run home run in the seventh capped off a six spot for the Amazin’s.

While the story of the game will naturally be Harvey’s return, the Mets offense is quietly putting together great at bats and showing some pop at the same time. They’ve scored 11 runs in 3 out of their last four games — an overall total of 36 runs over that span.

Next: Tim Tebow likely making Grapefruit League debut this week

Remaining Mets players participating in the World Baseball Classic took off after the game, so over the next couple of weeks we’re likely to see more playing time given to some players we don’t expect, and yes, that includes Tim Tebow.

Spring is here, Mets fans. Before you know it, it’ll be time to head back up north and open up Citi Field one more time.