New York Mets' reliever Jeurys Familia underwent surgery to repair bilateral sports hernias on Friday, performed by Dr. Bill Meyers, the team announced via its twitter account. Familia, one of the team’s most consistent relievers, should only need a few weeks for recovery and will be able to report to spring training in February.
WebMD.com describes a sports hernia as "an injury of the inguinal [abdominal] area caused by repetitive twisting and turning at high speed." Familia, 25, posted a 2-5 record and 2.21 ERA this season, along with a 73 strike out-to-32 walk ratio and 59 hits allowed in 77 1/3 innings. In his 76 appearances, which was tied for fourth-most in the majors by a reliever, he posted a 57.4 percent ground ball rate and a .134/.216/.161 batting slash against right-handed hitters. He had five saves this season. Additionaly, he recorded a 158 ERA+, 3.07 FIP and a 8.5 K/9 rate.
Familia is expected to take on the set-up man role again next season if all goes according to plan for the Mets, the team said. However, Familia could see some ninth-inning action, along with other relievers, if Bobby Parnell’s Tommy John rehab takes longer than the team expected, the team said.
This is not the first setback for Familia, who had tendonitis in his right elbow ultimately leading to surgery to clean in out in June 2012, according to an ESPN article. Familia, a right-handed pitcher, was signed by the Mets as a non-drafted costless agent back in 2007. After spending six seasons in the minors, Familia made his major league debut on Sept. 12, 2013 against the St. Louis Cardinals. He made the Mets’ roster the next season, playing eight games.
Familia also isn't the only Mets' reliever to undergo sports hernia surgery this month, as pitcher Jenrry Mejia underwent a similar sports hernia surgery in early October. Mejia acted as the Mets' closer this season after alternating between the starting rotation and bullpen. In 63 games pitches, seven of which were starts, he posted a 6-6 record, along with a 3.65 ERA, 28 saves, 96 ERA+, 9.73 FIP and a 9.4 K/9 rate.