Harvey not shy about posing for magazine

CHICAGO -- Matt Harvey has already appeared in Sports Illustrated this season, posing in uniform under the Queensboro Bridge. He is about to make his debut in another magazine, this time with no uniform -- and nothing else, either.

Harvey will appear in ESPN The Magazine's upcoming Body Issue, which features photos of athletes, the publication announced Tuesday. Former Mets shortstop Jose Reyes also appeared in the magazine two years ago.

"It was definitely kind of nerve-wracking at first," Harvey said of his photo shoot. "I've never been fully nude in front of random people like that before, especially with a camera around. But now it's all done with. It was a fun experience."

The impetus for posing, Harvey said, was his pride in eating healthy and staying in the best shape possible. Harvey joked that he hoped the magazine editors airbrushed "a couple more abs" into his photos.

"At the time, it seemed like a good opportunity, and something I was excited about doing," Harvey said. "I might as well get it out of the way when I'm young and have the opportunity to have a decent body, and hopefully we keep that going."

Harvey admitted he fully expects to receive grief from his teammates once the publication hits newsstands -- and he will certainly be standing on an island. Quipped 64-year-old manager Terry Collins: "You're not going to see me in that magazine."