Although they are not saying anything publicly about it, the New York Mets are reportedly upset with how the Dominican Republic team is using right-handed reliever Jeurys Familia in the World Baseball Classic, according to Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News.
Two team sources told Ackert the the team was upset at seeing Familia pitching on consecutive days and they let Familia and the Dominican team management know about it. “It’s been addressed,” one of the sources said Monday morning. “It’s been addressed.”
Both manager Terry Collins and GM Sandy Alderson have said they didn’t have problems with Familia’s usage. Well kind of…
“The only issue I had I wanted to know how many warmup pitches he threw in that seven-run inning,” Collins said about it.
While Alderson only had this to say and wouldn’t elaborate further. “His appearances are in accordance with the rules.” He forgot to say, “Period.”
Ackert also reports that the Mets were already concerned with Familia’s workload last season and believe it could explain his postseason performance.
Familia, 27, is still awaiting word on his expected suspension for violating MLB’s domestic violence policy. A decision is not expected until after the World Baseball Classic which works out peachy keen for Major League Baseball and the Dominican Republic team, not so much for the New York Mets.
The Mets’ closer had a historic season in 2016, recording an MLB leading 51 saves while posting a 2.55 ERA, 1.210 WHIP and 9.8 K/9 in 78 games for the team last season.
