Syndergaard, Harvey begin journey back to New York

NEW YORK — Noah Syndergaard and Matt Harvey began their throwing programs Monday, playing catch together at Citi Field in their first steps toward returning to the mound for the New York Mets.

Whether either one gets back in time to make a difference this season, well, that remains to be seen.

On the mend from significant injuries, both right-handers said they felt good — but neither would put a timetable on his recovery. Harvey hasn't been sidelined as long as Syndergaard, but both are at least several weeks away from coming off the disabled list.

“We'll try and get back as quick as we can,” Harvey said.

Syndergaard, an All-Star last season, has been out since May 1 with a torn lat muscle on his right side. Harvey, the oft-injured former ace who has faded the past two years, went down in mid-June with a stress injury to his right shoulder.

The two have combined for all of five wins (four by Harvey) and 18 starts this year, a major reason the disappointing Mets were 41-48 and 9 1/2 games out of a playoff spot going into Monday night's series opener against St. Louis. With the July 31 trade deadline fast approaching, general manager Sandy Alderson must soon decide whether to deal away several veterans eligible for free agency this fall, including Jay Bruce, Lucas Duda, Curtis Granderson and Addison Reed.

“This is a big homestand,” manager Terry Collins said. “We've created where we are, and unfortunately it's a stage where these games are very, very important to us.”

Collins chuckled when asked how much he'd like to fast forward to seeing both pitchers back in uniform.

“I'd like to really fast forward it, but I know there's a lot of stages they're going to have to get through before they get back on the mound here,” he said. “Look, I don't have them. Certainly, it's nice to see them out there. But I don't know when I'll get them back, or if I'll get them back.”

“Right now it's just a matter of patience and waiting and watching,” he added.

Syndergaard and Harvey threw to each other from about 65-70 feet away on flat ground. They'll be on different routines going forward, but both sounded optimistic and confident about returning with some time left in the season.

“Day One. They looked free and easy,” Collins said. “That was a good sign.”