CINCINNATI _ The Mets turned the page on the Matt Harvey era Tuesday, sending their one-time ace to the Reds in a deal for catcher Devin Mesoraco.
The 29-year-old Mesoraco was on the 2014 All-Star team and is the second catcher in Reds history to hit 25 home runs in a season and drive in 80 runs, joining Johnny Bench.
He also has a history of injuries, limited to 113 games since 2015.
This year he has hit two doubles, one home run and has three RBIs while hitting .220 in 18 games for the Reds. Mesoraco had six homers and 14 RBIs in 56 games, 39 starts, last year with the Reds.
The Mets were specifically looking for catching help with Travis d'Arnaud out for the season after suffering a torn ulnar collateral ligament. Kevin Plawecki is also on the disabled list after suffering a hairline fracture in his left hand. Mesoraco, like Harvey, will be a free agent at season's end.
Harvey was 0-2 with a 7.00 ERA in eight games, four starts, for the Mets this year. The one-time Dark Knight went 34-37 with a 3.66 ERA during his Mets career.
A 2013 All-Star and toast of the town, Harvey went through two major surgeries in the past four years. He returned from 2013 Tommy John surgery to help lead the Mets to the World Series. His return from 2016 Thoracic Outlet Syndrome surgery has been much tougher.
Frequently featured on the city tabloid's gossip pages, Harvey had a tough time off the field as well. He was suspended for three games last season after he failed to show up for a game, reportedly after having partied into the early morning hours. Demoted to the bullpen last month, Harvey was emotional and admitted he was "pissed off" about the move.
