Harnisch, Mets Will Part Ways on Bad Terms

Pete Harnisch called New York Met Manager Bobby Valentine a “very low-grade person” and accused him of speaking with a “forked tongue” after the pitcher was designated for assignment by the team Saturday.

The club dropped Harnisch from the roster after beating Baltimore, 13-6, intending to end its association with him. Later in the evening, back at the lobby of the team hotel, Harnisch told New York radio station WFAN he got into an angry confrontation with Valentine.

The Mets have 10 days to trade or release the 30-year-old right-hander, who sat out four months this season because of depression.

“I’m not really surprised,” Valentine told The Associated Press. “I’m disappointed Pete was in my office today and chose not to say one word to me, not even goodbye.”

Harnisch was dropped from the rotation this week. He was upset about being bumped to the bullpen, and said he would leave the Mets as a free agent after the season.

“I think from the front offices to umpires to players on down, there’s not a whole lot of people that like Bobby Valentine,” Harnisch said. “There’s not really a guy on this team that respects Bobby Valentine.”

The pitcher said his problems with Valentine did not stem from professional disputes.

Harnisch is 0-1 with an 8.06 earned-run average in six games overall, including one relief outing after his return from the disabled list.

Harnisch was the Mets’ starter on opening day at San Diego, and got a no-decision. He left the team a few days later, and his condition was diagnosed as clinical depression soon thereafter.

Harnisch made several rehabilitation starts in the minors and was activated on Aug. 5.

While inactive, Harnisch said Valentine accused him of “being scared to pitch, being afraid to pitch, not being able to go out there.”

Valentine had a different view.

“I really thought my coaches and I did everything we could to help him handle that situation,” he said. “But I guess we didn’t.”

General Manager Steve Phillips said he did not intend to dump Harnisch until the pitcher’s agent asked that the Mets do so.

The Mets recalled pitcher Paul Wilson from his rehabilitation assignment and dropped Harnisch from the 40-man roster.