1. Mets reliever Ben Rowen was “basically unhittable” off the mound today in Port St. Lucie, according to Abbey Mastracco of NJ.com. Though he has tallied only 11.2 Major League innings, the submariner has gone 25-10 with a 1.85 ERA and 1.022 WHIP in the Minor Leagues since 2010. This could end up being another low-risk high-reward signing by Sandy Alderson that ends up paying off big for the Mets.
2. Jeurys Familia is back in camp, and Mike Puma of the New York Post reported that he was mum on his absence regarding the MLB investigation. “We’ll see what happens, we have to wait.” Nobody is being particularly cooperative in the investigation and MLB has been stymied to this point. Familia is coming off a huge season for the Mets, becoming the first Mets reliever to lead the majors in saves with 51. He became the 13th pitcher in MLB history to reach the 50-save plateau and his 51 saves are tied for the ninth-most in major league history.
3. If Familia is suspended to start the season, Matt Ehalt of The Record says that right-hander Fernando Salas would be the 8th inning man with Addison Reed assuming the closer’s role as of today. Depending on how the spring goes that could still change, as there are other viable options such as Jerry Blevins or Hansel Robles.
4. Lastly, MMO’s own Michael Mayer reports that outfield prospect Wuilmer Becerra says his arm feels great after July shoulder surgery. Becerra came to New York in the R.A. Dickey trade that also netted Travis d’Arnaud and Noah Syndergaard, a trade that will surely be remembered as one of the best in Mets history.
