Mets ace Matt Harvey wins National League Comeback Player of the Year

Harvey’s season ended in disappointment, with the Mets losing Game 5 of the World Series to the Royals, after he had lobbied to pitch the ninth inning. In those 42 games, Fielder was a shell of his former self, slashing just.247/.360/.360 with three home runs and 16 RBI. Then, days before the Mets’ first game of the National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Harvey arrived late for a mandatory team workout at Citi Field, again raising questions about his commitment. 841 OPS in 158 regular-season games for the surprising Rangers.

Fielder didn’t get back to his power numbers from his prime in Milwaukee, but the hefty veteran who moved to a full-time designated hitter role early in the season, led the team with a. 305 batting average, was tied for the team lead with 23 homers and led the Rangers with 98 RBIs. He struck out 188 and walked 37.

As for Fielder, the 31-year-old had played in every single game except for one from 2009-2013 before he herniated a disc in his neck and was forced to undergo surgery.

Harvey was skipped over in the rotation a few times this season in order to keep his arm fresh, and while the playoff run was unexpected, those rest days ultimately helped him stay on top of his game in the postseason.

The Connecticut native went 7-4 with a 2.05 ERA over his final 17 starts dating back to June 16th, marking the fourth-best ERA in the Majors over that span behind Jake Arrieta (1.07), Zack Greinke (1.47) and Clayton Kershaw (1.48).

Harvey missed the entire 2014 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in October 2013. However, that doesn’t mean the Mets didn’t manage his workload properly, despite the fact that Harvey’s agent, Scott Boras, felt the need to stick his head where it didn’t belong and attempt to put a cap on Harvey’s innings this season. He also made the All-Star game for the sixth time.

Past winners of the Major League Baseball Comeback Award include: Jason Giambi and Ken Griffey, Jr.