The Dark Knight returns to Gotham City

The Dark Knight returned to the pitching mound in New York City for the first time in two months on Aug. 16, as Mets pitcher Matt Harvey rehabs from a stress injury in his right scapula.

Harvey’s whose once famous scowl gave birth to the Batman nickname is also trying to round into form after undergoing surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome last year. That procedure involved removing a rib so that muscles that were constricting a nerve that bridges the neck and shoulder had room to loosen.

He fared well in his appearance for the Brooklyn Cyclones, pitching three scoreless innings against the Aberdeen Ironbirds at MCU Park in Coney Island on a Wednesday night.

Harvey gave up one hit in his appearance, picked off a runner at second base and struck out the side in his final inning. But his efforts weren’t enough to catapult the Cyclones to victory, as they lost to the Ironbirds — an affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles — 6-2. The loss dropped the Cyclones’ record to 15-38, the worst in the New York-Penn League.

“It was awesome,” Harvey said regarding his start, in which he tossed 36 pitches, 26 of which were strikes. “To leave on a good note is definitely big moving forward.”

The 2013 National League All-Star noted that he is unsure of which minor league level he will be playing for going forward, as he continues his rehab process. Harvey, who the thoracic outlet syndrome surgery in July of last year, has faced complications in his recovery, but said his arm felt “great.”

Harvey has been on the disabled list since June with the stress injury to the scapula bone, and missed the entire 2014 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Prior to his injury, Harvey was 4-3 on the season with a 5.25 ERA in 13 starts.

He had a rockier start last time he took the mound, as the Cyclones faced off against the Hudson Valley Renegades on Aug. 12. In that appearance, he gave up a run in one inning and walked the first batter he faced on four pitches. The Cyclones also lost that game 6-2 in up state Wappinger Falls In both games, his velocity hovered between 90-94 mph.

“Baseball season is a grind, so the biggest thing is making sure you work hard every day,” Harvey said. “I took for granted a lot of things — really taking care of your body, that’s something I would definitely suggest,” he said when asked what advice the star would give to younger pitchers.

“He was good today,” Cyclones Manager Edgardo Alfonzo said during the postgame press conference. “He was much better than last time at Hudson Valley. A couple more starts and he’ll be ready if he continues like this.”

Ultimately, Harvey viewed the Aug. 16 appearance as another step in his road back to the majors. “It’s definitely a step forward,” he said, “I look at it as a process. “We’re definitely moving in the right direction.”