It’s been a few weeks since Jenrry Mejia was slapped with an 80-game suspension for testing positive for stanzolol, a performance enhancing drug.
With Mejia out, and Bobby Parnell still working his way back from Tommy John surgery a year ago, 25 year old Jeurys Familia has had the reigns of closer bestowed upon him, he has surely lived up to the task.
Familia has pitched in 11 games, recording a league leading 9 saves in 9 opportunities. He owns a 1.69 ERA with a cumulative .118 BAA in 10.2 innings pitched.
Control issues had been a problem for Familia in the past, but after a strong campaign last year in which he appeared in 76 games and pitched to a 2.21 ERA, Familia seems to have continued that pattern while closing out games so far this year. He looks very confident out there, blowing hitters away, and doesn’t look like he’s going to let up anytime soon.
With Bobby Parnell set to return at some point in the near future barring a setback, and with Familia pitching as well as he has, one has to wonder, are Jenrry Mejia’s days as a Met over?
Sandy Alderson voiced his displeasure for Mejia after the suspension, stating “I hope there’s no spot for him in the bullpen when he’s done serving his suspension.”
“We feel like he betrayed us. He let a lot of people down. He let his own teammates down.” Alderson also added.
Even Mets captain David Wright said that Mejia deserved to be punished to the fullest extent.
“It’s obviously disappointing. Not only do you cost yourself 80 games and don’t get paid, but you’re hurting everybody in here. You’re letting down your teammates and I think that probably means just as much, if not more, than hurting yourself” Wright said.
In addition to the suspension, Mejia is also not eligible for postseason play, should the Mets make it that far. So is it worth it to have Mejia come back, to only not be available when the Mets would really need him? Has Jeurys Familia’s dominance increased the chance that Mejia doesn’t return? It definitely seems feasible.
If the Mets are serious about winning this year, it is something they really have to consider.
Mejia is eligible to return from the suspension in June.
