The World Baseball Classic's relaxed rules for country affiliation have created a few interesting pairings, including Lars Nootbaar and Japan, Marcus Stroman and Puerto Rico, and even Tommy Edman and Korea.
In a tournament loaded with prominent names, one former major-league star is using the rules to his advantage and looking to make his pitch for an MLB comeback. Former Mets ace Matt Harvey will pitch for Italy in the World Baseball Classic, helping anchor a roster that has a few players with serious major-league experience.
As Italy aims to compete with some of the world's most passionate baseball nations, here's a look at why Harvey will be donning royal blue and competing against some former teammates.
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Why is Matt Harvey playing for Italy?
The World Baseball Classic allows a player to play for a country in which a parent was born or has citizenship. Harvey has described himself as part-Italian and part-Irish, and his Italian roots must be strong enough to pass the tournament's guidelines.
While Harvey hasn't commented about his inclusion on Italy's roster, he's in line to be a key part of the team's staff in Group A. Italy is in the same group as Cuba, which has Harvey's former teammate Yoenis Cespedes on its roster.
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While Italy isn't a traditional baseball hub at the international level, the Italian roster features some notable names.
Royals infielders Vinnie Pasquantino and Nicky Lopez are on the roster along with Angels infielder David Fletcher, Brewers outfield prospect Sal Frelick, former Blue Jays pitcher Joe Biagini, and Cardinals pitcher Andre Pallante.
Italy is also managed by Hall of Fame catcher Mike Piazza, who has Mets roots along with Harvey.
Italy will start its World Baseball Classic run against Cuba on Mar. 9.
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Matt Harvey career timeline
Harvey has seen his share of highs and lows since debuting with the Mets in 2012. Here's a full timeline of how the "Dark Knight" rose to stardom and just as rapidly fell from grace.
2012: Harvey debuts with 11 strikeouts in 5.1 innings
Harvey arrived to the majors with plenty of fanfare in July 2012, and he instantly lived up to the hype. Harvey struck out 11 batters in just 5.1 innings in his major-league debut, posting a 2.73 ERA across 10 starts down the stretch.
2013: Dominant season ends in Tommy John surgery
For five months, 2013 was the year of Matt Harvey.
There were few pitchers as dominant as Harvey, who started the All-Star Game at Citi Field and pitched well enough that his turn in the rotation became a must-watch event every five days. Harvey had a 2.00 ERA by the end of June and finished with a 2.27 ERA across 26 starts.
Unfortunately, the season ended in devastation. Harvey suffered a partially torn UCL in late August and underwent Tommy John surgery that would keep him out for the entire 2014 season.
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2015: Return to the mound, return to excellence
Harvey was fully recovered by the start of the 2015 season and didn't miss a beat. He posted a 2.71 ERA across 29 starts, tossing 189.1 regular-season innings and 26.2 more in the postseason.
Harvey finished his season by throwing eight outstanding innings in Game 5 of the World Series, but the decision by manager Terry Collins to put him back on the mound in the ninth allowed the Royals to tie the game and ultimately win the series in extra innings.
The trajectory appeared to be positive for Harvey heading into 2016, but Mets fans might remember that World Series performance as his last great moment in New York.
2016-2017: Struggles, injuries, suspension
Harvey entered 2016 as a dark horse Cy Young candidate after his resurgent 2015, but the season turned out to be the beginning of the end. He struggled to a 4.86 ERA across 17 starts before underdoing surgery to correct thoracic outlet syndrome.
While he returned with high expectations in 2017, the results were even more concerning. Harvey had a 6.70 ERA and 1.47 WHIP over 92.2 innings, spending time on the disabled list with a stress injury to his shoulder. He was also hit with a three-game suspension by the Mets for a violation of team rules.
The heavy disappointment of 2017 made 2018 a make-it-or-break-it year for Harvey.
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2018: Mets tenure comes to an end
After posting a 7.00 ERA across 27 innings in 2018, the Mets had enough. New York first removed Harvey from the rotation and later designated him for assignment in May.
The Mets found a taker. The Reds made a low-risk deal to acquire Harvey, and he pitched to a more respectable 4.50 ERA over 24 starts in Cincinnati.
2019: Flameout follows lucrative deal with Angels
The Angels surprised many by giving Harvey a one-year, $11 million deal ahead of the 2019 season, and critics of the deal were correct. Harvey had a 7.09 ERA in 12 starts with the Angels, earning his release in July.
He signed a minor-league deal with the Athletics in August but wasn't able to make it back to the majors.
2020-2021: More chances with Royals, Orioles
After a brief stint with the Royals in 2020, the Orioles' total lack of interest in contending gave Harvey one more chance to re-establish himself. The former Mets ace made 24 starts for Baltimore, posting a dismal 6.27 ERA as an innings eater for the organization.
While a 4.60 FIP and decent second half meant the season wasn't a total disaster by Harvey, it wasn't enough to prove he could get his career back on track.
2022: 60-game suspension
Most of Harvey's headlines in 2022 came from off-the-field events. In February, he testified that he used cocaine during his major-league career and provided oxycodone pills to former Angels teammate Tyler Skaggs in 2019.
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Skaggs died from a fatal mix of oxycodone, fentanyl, and alcohol in July 2019. Former Angels employee Eric Kay was convicted of supplying the pills that led to Skaggs' death (Harvey testified in his trial under immunity from prosecution), but Harvey's admission counted as a violation of MLB's drug policy.
Harvey would spend time in the Orioles' minor-league system in 2022, finishing 8-1 with a 3.71 ERA and 1.27 WHIP across 13 starts. A strong performance in the World Baseball Classic may catch the eye of some teams, but it's quite possible his drug suspension will affect how teams view him.
