Familia waits on MLB word
LAKELAND, Fla. — Jeurys Familia was the first of the Dominican Republic players back in Mets camp following their elimination from the World Baseball Classic. The Mets closer said on Monday he was anxious to get back to work, throw a bullpen session and get back to focusing on the start of the season.
The Mets are hopeful Familia will get as much work in as he can before MLB announces its decision on a possible punishment under its joint domestic violence policy. Familia, 27, was arrested and charged with assault after an October incident in his New Jersey home involving his wife. While the charges were dropped, MLB had conducted a months-long investigation and is expected to issue a suspension.
The decision is expected before Opening Day, 13 days away. “I am not going to discuss that,” Familia said through a team translator Monday morning when asked about waiting for a decision.
“I can’t worry about that,” Terry Collins said. “I can only worry about getting them ready. He may be there Opening Day, so I have to get him ready for Opening Day.”
The Mets manager said he expects Familia and Hansel Robles, who also pitched for the Dominican Republic, have had enough work to get them ready for the season.
Familia pitched in four games for the Dominican, allowing two hits and ringing up seven strikeouts over 3.1 innings. He earned two saves. While some in the Mets organization were not thrilled to see Familia pitch three times in four days, including the ninth inning of a seven-run game, Familia said there was concern about ramping up too early for him.
“I think I came ready for the season in general, because like I mentioned to you guys before, I did a lot of work in the Dominican, so I felt good,” said Familia, who pitched in the Dominican winter league to prepare for the WBC.
BULLPEN BUILDING
Fernando Salas made his Grapefruit League debut Monday, pitching a scoreless 2/3 of an inning in the Mets 5-1 loss to the Tigers. The righthander had not been able to pitch in games earlier this spring because of an issue getting his work visa. He then left to pitch for Mexico in the WBC. “You can tell he hasn’t been out there in a while,” Collins said of Salas on Monday.
In case they lose Familia to a suspension, the Mets are planning to use Salas as a setup man. With all the relievers back from the WBC, Collins said it’s time to start seeing the pieces fall into place in the last nine spring games. “It’s good to get Fernando back, get him out there. He’s going to get a bunch of work here in the next 10 days,” Collins said. “Hopefully we’ll get Jeurys back, Robles back, get those guys tuned up. We’ll let them battle it out.” ... Zack Wheeler will pitch in relief of Steven Matz on Wednesday instead of being pushed back. Wheeler, who has missed two seasons after 2015 Tommy John surgery, is expected to start the season in extended spring training.