Mets’ Familia accepts suspension
Mets All-Star reliever Jeurys Familia accepted a 15-game suspension under Major League Baseball’s domestic violence policy, discipline stemming from an altercation last October.
The suspension announced Wednesday was the fourth and least severe under the policy, which was agreed to in August 2015. New York Yankees reliever Aroldis Chapman was penalized 29 games, Colorado shortstop Jose Reyes 59 days and Atlanta outfielder Hector Olivera 82 games.
Familia was arrested Oct. 31 on a simple assault charge, but prosecutors later dropped the case. Under the domestic violence party, a player can be disciplined absent a criminal conviction.
Familia is eligible to participate in all spring training activities and exhibition games leading up to the Mets’ opener Monday against Atlanta, and then must sit out the team’s first 15 games. He can participate in up to six minor league games while serving the penalty.
Barring any postponements, Familia would be eligible to return April 20 at home against the Phillies and would lose $730,328,. Under a change this year to baseball’s joint drug agreement, he loses the salary of off days during the suspension, in addition to the pay on the days of games he misses.
A Dominican Republic native, Familia set a Mets record with 51 saves last season. He previously was involved in an ad campaign for an anti-domestic violence group, which has since ended its relationship with him.
Mets reliever Addison Reed is a likely candidate to fill in for Familia as closer. Reed has 106 saves in a six-year career, only two since joining New York during the 2015 season.
Chisnehall on DL
The Cleveland Indians will be without two starters to begin the season with right fielder Lonnie Chisenhall joining Jason Kipnis on the disabled list.
Chisenhall hurt his right shoulder when he crashed into an outfield wall last week and will not be ready when the AL champions open the season on Monday in Texas.
Kipnis has been sidelined with right shoulder inflammation and may not join the Indians until later in April.
With Chisenhall out, Indians manager Terry Francona said Abraham Almonte will be on the opening-day roster. Almonte played in 68 games for Cleveland last season before he was suspended 80 games for violating Major League Baseball’s drug program. He was ineligible for the postseason.
Pirates’ Polanco to skip Canada trip
BRADENTON, FLA. >> Pirates outfielder Gregory Polanco will not travel with the team when it heads north on Thursday for two exhibition games in Montreal.
Polanco, projected to be the Pirates’ starting left fielder, has played in just one spring training game since returning from his run with the Dominican Republic team in the World Baseball Classic, where he hit .579 in five games.
Polanco started experiencing left shoulder discomfort after his spring appearance on March 23 and has not played since. He experienced a similar issue on his throwing shoulder in 2016, and trainer Todd Tomczyk said the team is being especially cautious with his return as a result.
General manager Neal Huntington also said the team has not yet received Polanco’s visa to travel to Canada, which made it an easy decision to keep him behind. “We feel that we are better off controlling his environment,” Huntington said.