It’s a Familia affair
ATLANTA — This spring, wherever Jenrry Mejia was in the Mets spring training complex, Jeurys Familia was nearby. The two relievers worked out together, their lockers were next to each other and they would hang out together away from the park.
So Saturday afternoon, after the initial shock of losing Mejia 80 regular-season games and any possible playoff games sunk in, Terry Collins pulled Familia aside to tell him the news privately. It wasn’t easy. “They are best friends. Two guys who at seven in the morning this spring come out and jog together and work out together, they come to the ballpark together; lose one of your best friends to a situation like this he should be (upset). I’d be emotional too,” the Mets manager said. “I don’t blame him. I told Jeurys and Bartolo (Colon) yesterday, you could tell they were hurt and disappointed and shocked.”
Familia not only lost his best buddy on the team for half the season, but he now has to try to fill his shoes. With Bobby Parnell still working his way back from Tommy John surgery and Vic Black not yet back from the disabled list with shoulder tendinitis, Familia will get the call in the ninth inning − most of the time.
Sunday, Familia struck out Jonny Gomes and Phil Gosselin to earn his first save of the season. Collins used lefty Jerry Blevins to get A.J. Pierzynski to ground out for the first out in the ninth.
Collins said he’d use Blevins in the ninth to get lefties even if that means he is closing the game.
“Winning games is more important to me than saves,” Collins said. “If that helps us that’s what I’m going to do.”
Familia said he would do whatever he could to help the team.
“I feel great like I do always. I just go out trying to do my job,” Familia said. “I use my fastball, my breaking balls to try and make the hitter make contact.”
Familia, who did not speak to reporters after the news broke about Mejia Saturday, said he has not yet spoken to his friend.
“I feel sorry for him, I feel really bad, but the rules are the rules,” Familia said. “Now he has got to pay. Everybody in here is going to miss him.”
DOWN ON FARM
Top pitching prospect Noah Syndergaard will make his 2015 debut for TripleA Las Vegas Monday. The big righty was delayed coming out of spring training because of forearm stiffness, Collins said.
“He’s fine,” the Mets manager said. “They just wanted to give him some extra time.”
Syndergaard, who was optioned to minor league camp on March 20, missed his last start in the Grapefruit League with what the Mets said was an ankle issue. The 22-year-old was placed on the minor league disabled list last season with a strained flexor pronator tendon, which also is described as forearm stiffness.
WELCOME BACK
Jacob deGrom said he was “honored” to get the start for Monday’s home opener.
“I think it’ll be cool, definitely looking forward to it. I am ready for tomorrow,” said deGrom, who lost his first start to the Nationals on Ryan Zimmerman’s two-run homer.
Collins said that he wanted to recognize deGrom after his Rookie of the year season.
“It should be something he remembers for a long time, to be the Opening Day guy is really an honor,” Collins said.