Familia has blood clot in shoulder

NEW YORK — The Mets’ season of high expectations took another serious hit Thursday when All-Star closer Jeurys Familia was diagnosed with a blood clot in his pitching shoulder that might require surgery.

The arterial clot will be examined Friday in St. Louis by Dr. Robert Thompson, who treated starter Matt Harvey last year for thoracic outlet syndrome. Treatment for Familia, 27, could include blood thinners and surgery.

In 2012, former Mets pitcher Dillon Gee had surgery to remove a blood clot from his arm and missed the rest of the season.

The Mets entered the season with hopes of returning to the World Series behind their dominant starting staff and a lineup led by Yoenis Cespedes. But the slugging outfielder tops a crowded disabled list that includes pitchers Noah Syndergaard, Steven Matz and Seth Lugo, infielders David Wright and Lucas Duda and catcher Travis d’Arnaud.

The Mets have been making more news for injuries and offfield follies than success between the lines.

Harvey will make his first start Friday since being suspended three games for failing to show up for Saturday’s game.

Syndergaard, also an All-Star last year, skipped a start with biceps and shoulder discomfort but refused to have an MRI. In his next start, he tore a lat muscle that landed him on the 60-day DL.

And last weekend, the team was embarrassed when it posted on Instagram a photo of T.J. Rivera wearing the star-of-thegame crown in the clubhouse, which included a clearly visible sex toy in the locker of backup catcher Kevin Plawecki.

Addison Reed is expected to close in Familia’s absence.