METS RECALL CATCHER JOSH THOLE FROM BUFFALO (AAA) OPTION LHP RAUL VALDES TO BUFFALO

FLUSHING, N.Y., June 24, 2010 – The New York Mets today announced that they have recalled catcher Josh Thole from Buffalo (AAA) of the International League and have optioned lefthanded pitcher Raul Valdes to Buffalo. Thole will wear #30 and will be available for tonight’s game vs. Detroit.

Thole, 23, was hitting .267 (44-165) with 20 runs scored, 19 doubles, one triple, two home runs and 17 RBI in 48 games for the Bisons. The 6-1, 205-pounder was with the Mets earlier this year from May 10-15, but did not appear in a game. Thole missed seven games from June 3-10 after getting hit in the back of the head with a bat on a backswing by Syracuse’s Josh Whitesell.

Since May 1, Thole has hit .318 (34-107) with 14 doubles, one triple, two home runs and 11 RBI in 33 games with Buffalo.

He batted .321 (17-53) with two doubles, one triple and nine RBI in 17 contests with the Mets last season.

Valdes, 32, is 2-2 with one save and a 5.10 ERA in 20 games for the Mets. In 30.0 innings, he’s allowed 34 hits, 18 runs, 17 earned, with 13 walks and 33 strikeouts.

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Mets Pick Matt Harvey with First Pick

Here’s the release:

FLUSHING, N.Y., June 7, 2010 – The New York Mets today announced that they have selected righthanded pitcher Matt Harvey from the University of North Carolina with the seventh overall pick in the 2010 First-Year Player Draft.

Harvey, 21, just completed his junior season as the Tar Heels were eliminated in the NCAA Tournament on Sunday. The righthander was 8-3 with a 3.09 ERA in 14 games this season.  In 96.0 innings, he allowed 80 hits, 42 runs, 33 earned, with 35 walks and 102 strikeouts.  Harvey held opponents to a .224 batting average.

The 6-4, 225-pounder struck out nine batters over 6.0 innings on June 4 against California in the Norman Regional during the NCAA Tournament.  Harvey was named to the Normal Regional All-Tournament team.

Harvey, who was born in New London, CT and resides in Mystic, CT, ranks ninth all-time in UNC history in strikeouts (263) and 10th in wins (22).

Harvey is 22-7 with 3.73 ERA in 54 games, 43 starts during his three years with the Tar Heels.  In 238.2 innings, he has allowed 220 hits, 142 runs, 99 earned, with 124 walks and 263 strikeouts.

He was named the Atlantic Coast Conference Pitcher of the Week for his 15 strikeout performance on April 23 vs. Clemson.

Harvey went 6-1 with a 0.64 ERA with 112 strikeouts in 54.2 innings of work during his senior year at Fitch High School in Groton, CT and was named the Connecticut Player of the Year by the Hartford Courant and Gatorade.  He was a 2007 third-round selection (118th overall) by the Los Angeles of Anaheim but elected to attend the University of North Carolina.

Harvey is the highest Mets draft pick since the club selected righthanded pitcher Philip Humber with the third overall pick in 2004.

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