(New York) Matt Harvey announced Friday that he is retiring after nine years in the Majors.
Harvey, dubbed the “Dark Knight” during his years with the New York Mets, made the announcement on his social media. He had seen his star fade in recent years due to injuries and a suspension for distributing recreational drugs.
He was the seventh overall pick by the Mets in the 2010 draft and quickly rose to the Majors in 2012. He started the All-Star Game in 2013 at Citi Field, but a month later he tore a ligament in his right elbow, requiring full ligament reconstruction.
Harvey returned to action in 2015 and went 13-8, helping the Mets reach the World Series, where they lost to the Kansas City Royals.
He was traded to the Cincinnati Reds in May 2018, pitched for the Los Angeles Angels in 2019, the Royals in 2020 and the Baltimore Orioles in 2021. a minor league contract from the Orioles last year, prevented him from regaining his past glory.
Last year, he testified at the trial of former Angels employee Eric Kay, who was found guilty of supplying the drugs to pitcher Tyler Skaggs, who died of an overdose in July 2019.
Harvey is one of four players who admitted receiving oxycodone tablets from Kay, who was sentenced to 22 years in prison in October 2022.
Harvey, who told the trial he believed his testimony was going to cost him his career, also told the court that he and his teammates gave or supplied drugs to other players.
MLB suspended Harvey for 60 games in 2022. He never returned to the Majors after that.
He hangs his glove with a 50-66 record and an ERA in nine seasons. He pitched for the Italy team at the last World Classic. he allowed one run on four hits in two starts.
