PORT ST. LUCIE — Jeurys Familia has received strong reviews from team officials for his first three appearances this spring. The right-hander has pitched three scoreless innings, with two hits allowed and two walks.
“Honestly I feel better,” said Familia, who shed 30 pounds in the offseason. “Everything is better for me. “I feel 100 percent different from last year compared to now.”
Familia was asked about his energy level
“I have always got energy, but I think now I’m available to repeat my delivery and feel stronger and that’s the big thing,” Familia said. “I’m more flexible and I have a chance to finish my pitches better because of the weight I lost.
“It’s early, but I feel great, and that is what I’m looking for.”
Familia was among the Mets’ biggest disappointments last season, when he pitched to a 5.70 ERA in 66 appearances.
Dellin Betances is scheduled to make his spring debut Saturday as he comes back from an Achilles injury that ended his season a year ago with the Yankees. … Manager Luis Rojas said Jeff McNeil was sent home with flu symptoms.
Michael Wacha gave up five hits and his first run of the spring against Houston, but his spring training ERA is still just 1.17 after his 2 ²/₃-inning outing on Friday.
Jose Altuve is still getting booed at Houston’s spring training home in the wake of the Astros’ sign-stealing scandal. He got a mixed reaction from the crowd before each of his at-bats.
Steven Matz, who was sick this week, gets the start against Washington at 1:10 p.m. at Clover Park as the left-hander attempts to stake his claim to the fifth spot in the rotation.