Veteran right-hander Jeurys Familia didn’t pitch in affiliated ball last season and didn’t pitch in 2023 beyond the 12 2/3 innings he tossed for the A’s before being released that May. However, the 35-year-old righty has been working out and training ahead of a hopeful MLB comeback, reports Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com.
While Familia’s action has been limited in recent years, he did toss nine innings for Mexico City’s Diablos Rojos in the Mexican League last year, and he’s pitched for los Leones del Escogido in the Dominican Winter League in each of the past two offseasons. He tossed 8 1/3 frames in this year’s DWL and allowed four runs on eight hits and just one walk with five punchouts.
It’s been nearly four year since Familia last enjoyed a healthy, productive season in the majors. He posted ERAs north of 6.00 in 2022-23, but in 2021 the right-hander logged 59 1/3 innings with a 3.94 ERA, 27.5% strikeout rate, 10.3% walk rate, 51% grounder rate, 11 holds and a save for the Mets.
From 2014-21, Familia was a generally reliable late-inning power arm who missed bats and piled up grounders at a lofty rate. He combined for a 3.20 earned run average, 25.2% strikeout rate, 10.5% walk rate, 55.5% ground-ball rate, 124 saves and 63 holds over that eight-year period — all while averaging better than 96 mph on his heavy sinker.
Time will tell whether Familia can regain that form. His velocity dropped substantially during his 2022-23 struggles; that sinker sat 95.2 mph in 2022 and 93.8 mph in 2023. In 2023, all of his pitches (sinker, four-seamer, splitter, slider) were down about three miles per hour relative to their 2021 levels. Familia’s command, or rather lack thereof, was his biggest issue in 2023, however. He faced 64 batters and issued 13 walks (20.3%) while plunking another. His inability to locate the ball was also apparent in his career-worst 19.6% opponents’ chase rate on pitches off the plate. When Familia missed, he was missing by wide margins.
Even with those red flags, however, Familia is surely looking at a minor league contract and non-roster invitation, leaving no real risk for a team to take a look if he’s sufficiently built up. (Presumably, after he pitched in the DWL, that is indeed the case.) Familia might well need to use Triple-A as a proving ground before climbing back to the big leagues, but his track record alone should lead to some interest if he’s indeed intent on pursuing a return to the majors.
Ah man. Maybe the Mets can take a flier on him for old time sake.
padam – In today’s climate, I would be surprised if the player with the shortest DV suspension in MLB history gets another chance.
But who knows, not all players are treated the same by MLB.
Maybe Bloom will insist on acquiring him again.
Each case should not be treated the same. Familia’s case was dismissed and expunged from record by a judge after he and his wife cooperated with authorities.
A wife beater is a wife beater, regardless of his wife cooperating “after the fact.”
On that accord, maybe he can play with Vonn Miller and the Bills this Sunday.
Old time is right
Would like to see him make it back
2015 ws
Thank you jeurys
But might b time to get into coaching or something
This guy was dreadful with the Phillies.
Morg – At least he was consistently bad in 2022.
6.09 ERA with the Phillies
6.10 ERA with the Red Sox
He’s toast
Ugeth Urbina called.
He’s been training for 4 years now for his comeback at 50 too.
Jennry Mejia next.
Coach Bobby Parnell gonna teach him the straight fastball.
Hopefully he’s changed his strategy of starting every batter off 3-0 and then leaving a sinker up
Sh#t yea hes coming back, u see how much relievers are getting these days ?
He looked at those reliever contacts and was like, I want some of that!
He couldn’t beat the competition, so he chose his wife instead.
Dude so dark, yet you got me to laugh, now I am conflicted…
I’m surprised the football slider guy hasn’t made an appearance.
It’s early yet
Probably busy blowing up Familia’s Twitter account. “If you just grip the ball this way and release it that way… , you can pitch in the MLB until you’re 45 like Bartolo Colon whom I’ve taught with a YouTube link.”
He’s allowed back? Thought he was banned for life for 3 failed drug tests?
I remember Sam Dyson’s bowling ball until it wasn’t. Rangers were all kinda cursed until 23… Charlie Morton? Said eff it I’m throwing sinkers and extended his career 8 years when he was mid 30s. Most don’t though. Be interesting if familia can.
I mean he (sam Dyson) may have off the field things, but it went from unliftable to rookie of the year tongue wagging over the course of a few months. Such is reliever life? I suppose?
Or when straight 96 was gas, then 96 with 6 inches run and inside was cool. Then straight lefty 100 was cool. Then hicks and Duran and Munoz started throwing 103 sinkers as not even above average out pitches. What’s coming next. Joyce is bringing it…. Who’s got the 107 jenley Jansen cutter. Clase maybe… Not really but you know it’s coming.