FAMILIA GETS 15 GAMES
Shorter-than-expected 15-game ban for Familia
LAKE BUENA VISTA Fla. — Je urys Familia’s conduct Oct. 31 will cost him two- pl us weeks to start the 2017 season.
The Mets closer was handed a 15-game suspension without pay Wednesday for violating MLB’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy, according to the commissioner’s office.
In ruling he found no evidence Familia physically assaulted or threatened wife Bianca Rivas, commissioner Rob Manfred indicated he still felt compelled to issue the pitcher a suspension.
“The evidence reviewed by my off i ce does not support a determination t hat Mr. Familia physically assaulted his wife or threatened her or others with physical force or harm, on October 31, 2016,” Manfred said in a statement. “Nevertheless I have concluded that Mr. Familia’s overall conduct that night was inappropriate, violated the Policy, and warrants discipline.”
Familia has agreed not to appeal the suspension, which begins Opening Day and would run through April 19 if the team does not have any postponements.
F am ilia was arrested on Halloween after Rivas called 911 from their New Jersey home. A police report indicated Rivas had scratches to her neck and a bruised cheek, but the case was dropped when she refused to testify.
Familia’s punishment is lighter than the 52-game ban Jose Reyes received last year after he was arrested on domestic violence charges. It also is lighter than the 30-game suspension Aroldis Chapman received after he allegedly f ired gun shots and choked his girlfriend.
According to an industry source, Familia and his wife contend the scratches to Rivas’ neck were caused by their young son. And Famil- ia claimed the bruise to Rivas’ cheek was the result of the player forcing open a bedroom door that struck her during an argument.
“It is clear that Mr. Familiar egrets what transpired that night and takes full responsibility for his actions,” Manfred said, adding that Familia has already under gone 12 90-minute counseling sessions. “Further, he has agreed to speak to other players about what he has learned through this process , and to donate time and money to local organizations aimed at the prevention of, and the treatment of victims of, domestic violence.”
Familia released a statement in which he acknowledged acting in an “unacceptable manner,” but said he didn’t physically assault or threaten his wife.
“[I] am terribly disappointed in myself,” Familia said. “I am alone to blame for the problems of that evening.
“My wife and I cooperated fully with Major League Baseball’s investigation, and I’ve taken meaningful steps to assure that nothing like this will ever happen again. I have learned from this experience, and have grown as a husband, a father, and a man.”
Among the issues the MLB Players’ Association and commissioner’s office had to navigate, according to a source, was the possibility Familia would be suspended at least 31 games, potentially delaying his free agency a year because of l ost s er vi ce time. As it stands, Familia can become a free agent after the 2018 season.
The suspension will cost Familia about $687,500 in lost salary.
The Mets indicated they are on board with the ruling.
“The Mets fully support MLB’s domestic violence policy, the discipline handed down today by Commissioner Manfred, and the decision by Jeurys to accept his penalty without an appeal,” the club said in a statement.
Addison Reed will move into the closer’s role during Familia’s suspension, but manager Terry Collins is less certain about the eighth inning — with Fernando Sal a s , Hansel Robles and Josh Smoker among the options to handle those duties.
“We knew something was going to happen, we planned on i t ,” Collins said. “We did not know the length of [the suspension], so I would have to say I agree with the statement: We support the program and to be honest we are very lucky it wasn’t more. We’ll take it and we’ll move ahead. I didn’t know what it was going to be, but I’m happy that in 15 [games] he will be back.”