Lugo deserves shot in setup role
LOS ANGELES – It’s no secret the Mets have flip-flopped on a number of subjects this season. Since they’re open to reversals, another topic they should consider backtracking on is their restriction of Jeurys Familia as their “eighth-inning guy.”
Of Familia’s 23 relief appearances this season, 19 have begun in the eighth inning, where he serves as the bridge from Robert Gsellman or Seth Lugo to closer Edwin Diaz.
As Lugo works back from right shoulder tendinitis and is expected to be activated from the injured list today, the right-hander has proven he’s a better fit in the role of setup man.
Familia has been steadier since spending two weeks on the injured list with right shoulder soreness. But, when comparing his results to this point last season, his effectiveness has decreased dramatically.
“Physically I feel great,” Familia said through interpreter Alan Suriel on Thursday. “My pitching has come around more and more as I go on, and I know by the end of the season I’ll be better.”
Through his first 25 relief appearances in 2018, Familia held a 2.08 ERA over 26 innings. He served as the closer for 22 of those 25 appearances. By May 30, 2018, Familia converted 14 save opportunities and blew four of them while posting a 2-2 record. He had walked just eight batters and given up one home run.
The right-handed sinkerballer was still an impressive reliever in his age-29 season. As he transitioned from being the Mets’ closer to handing Diaz that role, Familia has been erratic and inconsistent with his results this year. Gone is the air of dependability he clutched so confidently every time he
took the mound.
Following 23 relief appearance in 2019, Familia holds a 5.56 ERA over 22.2 innings. He’s walked 17 and given up three home runs. Familia has recorded 21 strikeouts compared to the 31 he posted last season through his first 23 appearances. Lefties are butchering Familia this season, slashing .345/ .525/.655 against him.
“Familia has kind of been back and forth,” Mets manager Mickey Callaway said. “I think when he gets ahead, he has success. When he falls behind, it’s tough. Last night, (Corey Seager) hit a homer, whatever, he bounced back and got through the inning.”
Callaway noted that he’s seen a better version of Familia since the reliever returned from the injured list on May 14. That’s true, to some extent. Familia has cut down on walks and hasn’t given up as many runs in consecutive outings. Familia posted a 6.28 ERA with 13 walks over 14.1 innings before he went on the injured list. But he’s held a 4.32 ERA with four walks over the 8.1 innings since being activated.
“I think he’s kind of getting on track here,” Callaway said.
While Familia has shown improvement since healing from his right shoulder soreness, Lugo has already been on track and posted better results in high-leverage situations. He holds a 3.12 ERA over 26 innings and 19 appearances this season. He was at his best when Familia was down, pitching 12.1 scoreless innings from April 22 to May 14.
If Lugo can pick up where he left off before departing for the injured list, the Mets should continue their trend of contradictions and appoint a new setup man sooner rather than later.