Met pen finally gets injured arms back
It took them months to reassemble, but injured Mets relievers finally returned to the bullpen and represented a relief corps the team showcased on Opening Day. The Mets activated lefthanders Luis Avilan and Justin Wilson, and right-hander Jeurys Familia from the 10-day injured list prior to the Subway Series on Tuesday night. Infielder Luis Guillorme was also recalled from Triple-A Syracuse. In corresponding moves, right-handers Brooks Pounders,
Chris Flexen, Stephen Nogosek and Chris Mazza were all optioned to Syracuse.
“We got these guys for a reason, and we intend to use them for the reason we went and got them in the first place. It's good to have these guys back. These are the guys we knew we could win with,” manager Mickey Callaway said.
Avilan had been on the IL since May 4 with left elbow soreness. He made four rehab appearances with Syracuse and Class-A Advanced St. Lucie and went 1-0 with a 2.08 ERA with a hit, a walk and six strikeouts over 4.1 innings pitched. Avilan holds a 9.28 ERA over 10.2 innings in the Majors this season.
Wilson was placed on the IL on May 11, retroactive to May 8, with a pesky left elbow soreness that he could not seem to shake. He made four rehab appearances with Syracuse and Brooklyn and posted a 2.25 ERA with five hits, a walk and eight strikeouts.
Wilson first went on the IL April 22 with the same ailment and has since made one big-league relief appearance.
Familia went back on the IL on June 18 with a recurring Bennett Lesion (bone spur) in his right shoulder. He appeared in two rehab games with Brooklyn and Syracuse, and allowed a hit and struck out four in 2.1 scoreless innings. The struggling righty has a 7.81 ERA over 27.2 innings amid a disappointing season for the Mets.
“We're going to put them in the roles we acquired them for and go out and have a better bullpen,” Callaway said. “That's what this team needs, and those guys are going to step up and get it done.”
The Mets (38-47) entered Tuesday 12 games behind the first-place Braves perched in fourth place and nine games under .500. Even if the Mets' fresh relievers can find a way to improve their 28th-ranked 5.58 relief ERA, it may be too little, too late for the bullpen and the team.
Callaway and the Mets continue to have the utmost confidence in Familia, despite the righty looking like a shadow of himself in a scuffling season. Callaway said Familia's confidence improved during his recent IL stint, where he worked on his mechanics and ball usage. The Mets continue to hope Familia turns the page and they're providing him every opportunity in high-leverage situations to do so.