JUPITER, Fla. — Jeurys Familia should know his fate within the next day or two.
The Mets closer, who is facing a likely suspension from MLB following his arrest last offseason on domestic violence charges, was in New York on Monday, according to an industry source, where he was scheduled to meet with commissioner Rob Manfred.
Familia was arrested Oct. 31 at his New Jersey home after his wife, Bianca, called 911 to report an altercation. The police report indicated Familia’s wife had a bruised cheek and scratches to her neck.
But Familia maintains, according to a source, that the bruise to his wife’s cheek was the result of him forcing open a bedroom door, which hit her face. Familia also claims the scratches on his wife’s neck were caused by the couple’s young son.
Another source added that Familia and his wife have cooperated with MLB investigators on the case.
The Mets are hopeful Familia might receive a suspension significantly less than a full month, but are prepared to open the season with a shuffled bullpen that includes Addison Reed in the closer’s role.
Juan Lagares underwent an MRI exam on his strained left oblique, the results of which the Mets did not immediately make available. The club has been prepared for the possibility Lagares will open the season on the disabled list, placing Michael Conforto on the roster as the backup center fielder.
Tim Tebow went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts as the starting left fielder in the Mets’ split-squad game against the Nationals in Port St. Lucie. The former Heisman Trophy winner, who will begin the season at Single-A Columbia, is 4-for-24 (.167) at the plate in the Grapefruit League.
Yoenis Cespedes requested traveling to face the Marlins so he could attend his son’s baseball game in the West Palm Beach area in the afternoon, in close proximity to Roger Dean Stadium.
Cespedes appeared to be hobbling on Sunday, but was full tilt a day later, which included racing toward the left-field corner to rob the Marlins’ Miguel Rojas of a double.
T.J. Rivera hit his second homer of the spring, a three-run blast in the fifth inning of the Mets’ 5-0 exhibition victory over the Marlins in Jupiter, Fla. Rivera is expected to make the Opening Day roster as a backup infielder.
Paul Sewald, who is battling for a bullpen job, allowed a two-run homer to Bryce Harper in the Mets’ 6-0 exhibition loss to the Nationals in Port St. Lucie.
Robert Gsellman and Addison Reed are among the pitchers expected to face the Cardinals in Port St. Lucie on Tuesday.
