Jeurys Familia Dominates in Appearances with Cyclones

Photo by Brandon Colon

Photo by Brandon Colon

By Brandon Colon

Coming off a loss to the San Francisco Giants in the playoffs last season the New York Mets looked to bounce back in 2017, but some early injuries would derail the Mets. The most notable injuries were to starting pitchers Matt Harvey, Noah Syndergaard, and reliever/closer Jeurys Familia.

Jeruys Familia, NY Mets

Jeruys Familia, NY Mets

Familia set the Mets franchise record for saves last season with 51. He only made 11 appearances for the Mets this season before being placed on the 60-day disabled list with an arterial clot in his right shoulder.

The clot was discovered after a routine check-up with team doctors, Familia was sent to St. Louis where he would undergo surgery on May 12th. The surgery went well without any complications and now Familia finds himself pitching back-to-back rehab games for the Brooklyn Cyclones (Mets single-A affiliate).

Familia previously appeared in two rehab games for the high-A St. Lucie Mets, he was able to get 4 strikeouts in those two appearances. While last night in his first game for the Cyclones, Familia threw 10 pitches in a scoreless inning.

“I’ve been in Port St. Lucie for the last month and two weeks doing my training program and every day I feel better and better definitely tonight I felt great, I think I’m close to 100%,” said Familia.

Tonight Familia put his arm to the test in his first back-to-back games since his injury. He would throw 13 pitches allowing a broken bat single but would go on to retire the side including a strikeout. Familia was able to use his full arsenal of pitches the last two days with his fastball consistently reaching 96 and a high of 97.

“It felt great my arm felt good and my body too,” said Familia. “I threw all my pitches today again my splitter too, I think everything is working.”

Familia would be the lone bright spot in tonight’s game for the Cyclones. The Hudson Valley Renegades took advantage of some early errors and would eventually go on to win the game 8-0, extending the Cyclones losing streak to 12 games.

Familia’s time in Brooklyn was not just about rehab to him, it also gave him a chance to give the youngsters in the Met’s organization some advice. The guys in the bullpen had some questions about his work ethic and pitch delivery.

“Good experience here in Brooklyn most important for me is enjoying the guys here on the team, teaching and hanging out with bullpen guys is good for me,” said Familia.

 There is much speculation that Familia could possibly join the Mets in Washington this weekend against the Nationals. The Mets organization will dwell over that decision but with the way he has pitched the last two days, it would not be a surprise.

“I’m not sure, I don’t know when they are going to bring me up but I feel pretty good right now,” said Familia. “I have to wait for the management decisions and then I’ll know what I’m going to do.”

Comment: bfcolon13@gmail.com

 

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