Familia: Let’s move forward
PORT ST. LUCIE — Jeurys Familia took responsibility, apologized and Thursday morning the Mets closer was ready to move on. After accepting a 15game suspension from Major League Baseball under the league’s joint domestic violence policy, Familia did not answer questions about the October 31 incident or the suspension.
“He wants to refer back to the statement that he put out yesterday. If anybody has any questions on it, that is all he has to say,” said Ronny Reyes, the Mets liaison with Latin American players, who interpreted for Familia Thursday morning.
Baseball announced Wednesday that Familia accepted a 15-game ban without pay from commissioner Rob Manfred as a result of the Dominican righthander violating MLB and the MLB Players Association’s joint domestic violence policy. Familia issued a statement via the MLBPA that said he accepted responsibility, made a point to say he never “physically touched, harmed or threatened,” his wife, but apologized for inappropriate behavior.
Familia will not appeal the discipline, and he’s eligible to return to the team for its 16th game, the scheduled April 20 home game against the Phillies.
“He feels like this is something that is behind him. He is preparing for the season,” Reyes said. “The (World Baseball Classic) was a great experience for him to get him ready for the season and put everything behind. That was the first practice in doing that.”
Familia was arrested in Fort Lee, N.J., early on Oct. 31 and charged with simple assault, the equivalent of a misdemeanor under New Jersey law. But the case was dismissed in December by Judge John DeSheplo in Fort Lee Municipal Court. Familia’s wife, Bianca Rivas — the alleged victim in the matter — and her attorney had requested that the prosecutor drop the charges prior to the December hearing. The prosecutor, Arthur Balsamo, ultimately elected not to prosecute Familia. Despite the criminal case being dropped, Manfred still had the authority to discipline Familia as outlined in the domestic violence policy, which was implemented in the summer of 2015. Manfred can punish players even if the player is not charged or convicted in a criminal matter.
After a three-month investigation by MLB, Manfred issued a confusing statement Wednesday that said the league had not found that Familia had physically touched or threatened harm to Rivas, but that he acted inappropriately. Familia did not appeal the decision, according to the statement.
Thursday morning, Familia said he wanted to move forward personally and professionally.
That begins with him returning to his native Dominican Republic this weekend and working out at the Mets’ complex there.
“He’ll try to throw a couple outings down there at our Dominican complex and then come back and try and get a couple innings in an extended program and hopefully be ready for the season,” Reyes said.
In his absence Addison Reed said he and the other late-inning relievers will be prepared to step up. The plan is to have Reed close for the Mets in Familia’s absence.
As for Familia moving forward, Jose Reyes, who served a 53-game suspension under the same policy last year, said it won’t be easy.
“No, it’s not easy dealing with this. You need to continue to keep your head up and stay focused. You have to do what you have to do to get through (the suspension) and then face your fans again,” the Mets third baseman said. “It’s hard. It’s something you have to deal with. You have to take responsibility, but if you keep focused on moving ahead and on your job, you can do it.”