Jeurys not sharp but at least arm has Familia feeling again
WASHINGTON — It was a successful debut for Jeurys Familia. Sure the Mets closer allowed three earned runs on three hits and two walks (one intentional) in the eighth inning of the Mets 9-4 loss to the Nationals Saturday. But Familia's arm and hand “felt great,” after his first appearance since May — so that counts as a win for the Mets heading toward 2018.
Familia struggled with command in his first outing on a major league mound since May 10. After that game, he complained of numbness in his right middle finger, was diagnosed with a blood clot in his right shoulder and had surgery.
“I think maybe two more outings I'll be ok,” said Familia. “I have to get used to it, then I will be fine. My arm feels great — 100 percent. That's all that matters right now.”
Familia hit Adrian Sanchez, who had squared to bunt, on the chest with a 97-mile an hour fastball. The Nationals second baseman lay on the ground for several minutes and then after walking to first base — not realizing that it was not a hit by pitch and that the umpires had ruled he'd swung — he got an RBI-single off Familia.
“I feel bad, because I don't want to hit nobody, I just want to do my job,” Familia said. “I am sorry I hit him, but I am just trying to do my job. After that, I kept trying to do my thing.”
MATT’S FINAL STEP?
Matt Harvey allowed five runs, three earned, on five hits in 4.2 innings for the Mets' Double-A franchise Saturday night in what was likely his final rehab start before being activated off the disabled list. The righthander threw 72 pitches.
Not only is the minor league season winding down, but the Mets optioned Robert Gsellman after his horrendous start Saturday. Harvey could easily slide into that spot in the rotation.
He has been on the disabled list since June 16 with what turned out to be shoulder weakness, a side effect of his surgery in June 2016 to address the symptoms of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome.
The Mets optioned Gsellman because they
needed to make room on the roster for Seth Lugo to start Sunday night's doubleheader and after Gsellman went just four innings Saturday, they needed to add Kevin McGowan to protect themselves in the bullpen for the doubleheader.
ON THE WRIGHT ROAD
David Wright went 0-for-3 and played five innings at third base with two assists for the St. Lucie Mets Saturday in a minor league rehab game, a sign that it might not be too long before he's back in the big league team's uniform. That is the Met captain's second game playing the field and the first time he is playing on back-to-back days.
It is a big step for Wright, who has not played since having surgery to repair a herniated disc in his neck in June 2016. He has played just 75 regular season games since Opening Day 2015 because of spinal stenosis, a degenerative back condition, and the neck issue.
“I think it's a huge sign, a big sign that he's able to come back tonight,” Terry Collins said.
Wright went 1-for-3 with a single Friday night and had one assist, one putout and one error in three chances in the field.
The goal is for Wright to be able to return in September when the rosters expand beyond the normal 25-man limit.
The Mets are more concerned with Wright getting at-bats.
“The process of playing as many games as he can, get as many at-bats as he can,” Collins said. “Moving forward, it's what he can handle, hopefully that's enough to continue. We'll see how tonight and take the next step whatever that is.”
Wright's progress this fall will help the Mets determine what their offseason plans will be. The 34-year old is signed through 2020 and owed $27 million over the next two seasons.
SYNDERGAARD STEPPING FORWARD
Noah Syndergaard faced live batters for the first time in four months Saturday. The big righthander threw live batting practice in Port St. Lucie, according to the team. Syndergaard has been out since April 30, when he tore his right lat muscle.
With the minor league seasons ending soon, the Mets will have limited time to build up his pitch counts against hitters for him to get back. They still expect to get him back next month, piggy-backing him with another starter, so that he can go into winter confident and ready for 2018.