Jeurys Familia, a right-handed pitcher from the Dominican Republic, began his Major League Baseball career with the New York Mets. Signed as an international free agent in 2007, Familia worked his way through the Mets' minor league system, showcasing his potential as a relief pitcher. His MLB debut came on September 4, 2012, when he appeared in a game against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Familia's early years in the majors were marked by his development as a reliable bullpen option. By 2014, he had established himself as a crucial part of the Mets' relief corps, appearing in 76 games and posting a 2.21 ERA. His performance that season set the stage for his breakout year in 2015.
The 2015 season was a turning point for Familia. He became the Mets' closer after Jenrry Mejía was suspended, and he excelled in the role. Familia saved 43 games, tying for the National League lead, and maintained a 1.85 ERA over 78 innings. His efforts were instrumental in helping the Mets secure the National League East title and advance to the postseason. During the playoffs, Familia continued to excel, recording five saves and a 0.61 ERA as the Mets reached the World Series. Although the Mets ultimately fell to the Kansas City Royals, Familia's performance was a highlight of their playoff run.
In 2016, Familia continued to be a dominant force in the Mets' bullpen. He set a franchise record with 51 saves, leading the majors, and was selected to his first All-Star Game. Despite his success during the regular season, the Mets were eliminated in the Wild Card Game by the San Francisco Giants.
Familia's career faced challenges in 2017 when he was suspended for 15 games under MLB's domestic violence policy. Later that year, he underwent surgery to address a blood clot in his shoulder, limiting him to just 26 appearances. Despite these setbacks, Familia returned to form in 2018, splitting the season between the Mets and the Oakland Athletics after a mid-season trade. He finished the year with a 3.13 ERA and 18 saves.
In December 2018, Familia re-signed with the Mets on a three-year contract. However, his performance in 2019 was inconsistent, as he struggled with control issues and posted a 5.70 ERA over 66 games. Familia worked to regain his form in the following seasons, showing improvement in 2020 with a 3.71 ERA during the pandemic-shortened season.
The 2021 season saw Familia continue to serve as a valuable bullpen piece for the Mets, appearing in 65 games and recording a 3.94 ERA. His ability to adapt and persevere through various challenges highlighted his tenure with the team.
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