The Matt Harvey story has taken another sad turn.
On Tuesday, Major League Baseball announced that Harvey has been suspended for 60 games without pay for “participating in the distribution of a prohibited Drug of Abuse in violation of Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.”
In February, Harvey testified in court that he shared Percocets with pitcher Tyler Skaggs while they were teammates with the Angels. Skaggs fatally overdose in 2019. MLB did not start testing for opioids or cocaine (which Harvey also admitted to using) until after Skaggs’ death.
Eric Kay, the Angels’ staffer who distributed drugs in the Angels’ clubhouse, including to Harvey, was convicted on drug distribution and conspiracy charges. He faces a minimum of 20 years in prison.
Harvey has not pitched in the major leagues since Sept. 8, 2019 when he was a member of the Baltimore Orioles. When he was with the Mets, Harvey was once one of the best pitchers in the game. His 2013 season, which saw him start the All-Star Game at Citi Field, made him a household name at just 24 years old. In 2015 he helped get the Mets to the World Series, posting a 2.71 ERA in 29 starts.
Harvey, 33, is under a contract with the Orioles. His suspension is retroactive to April 29, 2022.
