The A's are taking a chance on Matt Harvey.
A source confirmed to NBC Sports California's Ben Ross that the A's signed Harvey to a minor league contract. Roster Resource first reported the sides were nearing an agreement, and Jon Heyman first reported the deal.
Harvey was one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball during the first three seasons of his career, making the All-Star Game and finishing fourth in NL Cy Young voting in 2013. He partially tore his UCL that season and missed all of 2014 after underoing Tommy John surgery, but Harvey returned to form in 2015 and helped lead the Mets to the NL pennant.
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But the "Dark Knight" struggled after that, and has posted a 5.65 ERA and 1.47 WHIP in 400 innings pitched since the start of the 2016 season. The Mets traded him to the Cincinnati Reds last year, and Harvey signed a lucrative one-year contract with the Los Angeles Angels this winter.
The Angels released Harvey last month after he posted a 7.09 ERA in 59 2/3 innings.
The A's acquired starters Homer Bailey and Tanner Roark right around this year's trade deadline, but reportedly were interested in Harvey this winter. Oakland has Sean Manaea working his way back from the injured list, and Bailey made a strong case for a spot in the rotation in Wednesday's win over the Giants.
There wouldn't appear to be much room for Harvey in the majors, although a minor league deal carries a much lower financial investment than the one he signed with the Angels this summer.
Oakland Athletics
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It's possible Harvey can follow in Brett Anderson's footsteps and rejuvenate his career in the East Bay, but his recent body of work indicates his best days are behind him. At the very least, a Harvey comeback story already has a ready-made title.
Yes, that was a "The Dark Knight Rises" joke.