New York Mets News: Jenrry Mejia Set To Return From Suspension

New York Mets News: Jenrry Mejia will be making his long anticipated return to the Mets’ bullpen as his 80-game suspension has come to an end and he is eligible to return tonight against the San Francisco Giants.

The New York Mets will be receiving a boost to their bullpen Tuesday when right-handed pitcher Jenrry Mejia makes his return to the active roster. Mejia has been sidelined since the first week of the season when he was handed an 80-game suspension for testing positive for Stanozolol.

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Mejia never admitting to breaking the rules back when he released a statement about his suspension, but he never appealed either. Instead, he stuck with his story that he never knowingly ingested the banned substance, but he accepted the punishment that was handed to him.

Coming into the season, Mejia was projected to be the closer for the Mets. Last season, after flaming out as a starting pitcher, Mejia took over at the end of games and flourished. He finished the season with 28 saves, blowing only three. He struck out 98 batters in 92 ⅔ innings, while registering a 2.72 ERA as a reliever. His WHIP was still a little too high at 1.42, but it was lower than the 1.58 he had as a starter and he was able to get the job done when called upon.

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Despite that success, and the role he was supposed to have coming into the season, Mejia has little to no chance to retain it. Jeurys Familia has been handed the role and run away with it. In his first year as closer, Familia has flourished, saving 23 games already with a 1.13 ERA and 0.88 WHIP. He also has 41 strikeouts in 39 ⅔ innings, numbers that are strong enough that he is under consideration to become an All-Star. Familia is one of five players on the Final Player Vote ballot along with the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw, Cincinnati Reds’ Johnny Cueto, St. Louis Cardinals’ Carlos Martinez and Colorado Rockies’ Troy Tulowitzki.

Mejia figures to find himself in late game situations quickly though, along with Bobby Parnell. Having the most late game experience of any relievers on the roster they should find themselves in the high level situations when they arise.

The other question is, what will the corresponding move for the Mets be? For Mejia to be activated, someone needs to be taken off of the roster. More than likely it will come down to one of the youngsters, either Hansel Robles or Logan Verrett. Both have pitched very well as of late, but would seem to be the odd men out. Carlos Torres is out of options and is a veteran the Mets can use in a number of ways. Alex Torres has struggled mightily, but is one of only two lefties, along with Sean Gilmartin, so both seem to be safe. Then there is Parnell and Familia, whose spots are about as safe as can be.

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With the Mets still carrying only a four man bench, it would seem that a pitcher will be the one to get sent back down. It will not be an easy decision though, as the most likely candidate to be sent down. Robles and Verrett, have done better as of late than others.

While Mejia will make his return tonight, if the Mets find themselves in the postseason in September, he will not allowed to take part. As part of his suspension, Mejia is not eligible for the postseason should the Mets qualify.

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