Elite Sports NY has your daily dose of New York Mets news for March 28, 2017, including a possible suspension and an elbow injury comeback.
New York Mets closer Jeurys Familia and his agent met with MLB commissioner Rob Manfred in New York on Monday concerning his impending suspension over a Halloween 2016 domestic abuse charge. Charges were eventually dropped, but Familia will likely face a suspension under the league’s domestic violence policy.Although no decision has been announced yet, Billy Witz of the New York Times reports that Familia’s suspension is “almost certain” to be less than the 30 games. A ruling is expected to come down in the next couple days.
Steven Matz threw 55 long tosses on flat ground at the Mets Port St Lucie complex on Monday, one day after elbow concerns scratched his scheduled start.
“I wasn’t too worried about it, it felt good,” Matz said after his short workout stint. Although doctors assured the Mets there was no structural damage, the team’s lone southpaw may have to sit out the season’s opening week.
The two candidates vying for Matz’ possible vacancy took the mound on both ends of the team’s final split squad of the spring.
Seth Lugo toed the mound at home and didn’t fare too well, as he was roughed up by the Washington Nationals for four earned runs over 4.1 innings, allowing eight hits, including three long balls.
However, half an hour south in Jupiter, Zack Wheeler looked impressive, as he tossed five shutout innings, allowing only two hits, walking two and striking out three in the Mets 5-0 win over the Marlins.
Zack Wheeler had in many ways been the forgotten man. Not anymore. Regardless of how Mets decide, Wheeler has re-established himself.
— Marc Carig (@MarcCarig) March 27, 2017
“I knew today was a big day for me,” said Wheeler, who prior to Monday’s outing has struggled to find any consistency this spring, but today was clocked in the 94 to 96 mph ranges throughout his outing.
Mets management are scheduled to meet Tuesday prior to the team’s last spring home game against the St. Louis Cardinals to discuss the final roster preparations. With 36 players remaining in camp, Famila’s impending suspension, the fifth rotation spot, bench roles and the recent injury concerns to Matz and Juan Lagares, several decisions will need to be ironed out in Mets-ville over the next couple days.
