LOS ANGELES -- Matt Harvey won't have to wait long before he gets the opportunity to show his new team what he's got, as he'll be starting in place of Brandon Finnegan tonight against the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. The lefty Finnegan was optioned to Triple-A Louisville to clear a roster spot for Harvey.
The Reds aren't expecting a long showcase for Harvey, who had been pitching out of the Mets' bullpen before being acquired by the Reds in a trade on Tuesday.
"Based on what he's been doing recently, it will kind of create itself as how far it goes," said manager Jim Riggleman. "He might go an inning or two. He might go four. It will be limited."
Harvey is happy to be returning to a starting role so quickly. 
"It was nice to hear the news that I was going to be starting this weekend," he said.
More importantly, Harvey believes that he can help the Reds.
"Throwing the ball the way I have been in the bullpen between outings, it's there," he said. "I just have to get it out."
Riggleman is also convinced that better days are ahead for Harvey.
"I guess he really kind of dominated in the spring," Riggleman said. "<p. harvey="">Our people feel like it's a work in progress still. It was a very significant surgery he had, the last one. The first one was the Tommy John, that's tough, but the second one was thoracic outlet, and that one may take longer even than recovering from Tommy John. Even though they may be pitching, they are still recovering." </p.>
Harvey knows he still has a lot of work ahead for him.
"It's been kind of a roller coaster, battling from injuries and trying to get back to where I wanted to be and knew I can be," he said. "Going back to having a fresh start, I can go out and pitch and work on fully getting back to where I really want to be."
And where he really wants to be now is Cincinnati, as he's eager to leave his Mets days in the past.
"There's a lot of good memories, there's a lot of bad memories, but after today, I'd rather not talk about my past experience with the Mets," Harvey said. "I'd like to move forward with my new organization and help them."