Jeurys Familia was activated from the restricted list prior to the Mets' series finale Thursday against the Phillies. Familia had served a 15-game suspension to begin the season for violating Major League Baseball's Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy.
Familia, who led the Majors with 51 saves last season, pitched a scoreless ninth inning with two strikeouts in the Mets' 6-4 loss to the Phillies at Citi Field. His activation highlighted a flurry of roster moves for a Mets team experiencing some roster ambiguity at the moment.
In addition to Familia, catcher Kevin Plawecki also returned to the big league club. New York recalled Plawecki from Triple-A Las Vegas and optioned pitchers Rafael Montero and Sean Gilmartin in corresponding moves.
David Wright, who has not appeared in 2017 while dealing with a shoulder injury and his ongoing back issue, was transferred to the 60-day disabled list to make room on the 40-man roster for Familia.
Familia spent Spring Training with the Mets and began serving his suspension on Opening Day. He said he spent the first week in the Dominican Republic, before traveling to Florida to work out at the Mets' facility in Port St. Lucie. He appeared in two Minor League games to prepare for his return to the Mets.
"I can't wait to get on the mound and help the team win," Familia said through an interpreter before the game. "I was very busy the whole time, working and trying to prepare to come back."
Familia got a few cheers from the Citi Field fans when he entered Thursday's game. He said before the game that he's not concerned about how fans will react to him after the suspension.
"I don't think that's really going to affect me," he said. "I've been around 10 years. I'm able to block all that out."
Plawecki, a former top prospect who saw his stock fall after two light-hitting seasons, was summoned to fill an emergency-catcher role after Travis d'Arnaud left Wednesday's game with a wrist contusion. d'Arnaud was not in the starting lineup Thursday, but he did pinch-hit. Rene Rivera was the Mets' starting catcher, as he regularly is when Noah Syndergaard starts.
Still, New York was in need of another bench bat for several reasons. Even with Plawecki, the Mets entered play Thursday with what is essentially a three-man bench, since Lucas Duda (wrist) and Wilmer Flores (infection) were unavailable. The club is hopeful Flores and Duda can avoid the disabled list, but it expects both to be out for at least a few days.
Montero made the Mets out of Spring Training but battled control issues, walking eight batters in 6 2/3 innings of relief. He posted a 9.45 ERA in six appearances.
Gilmartin, who has been in the Mets' organization since he was selected in the 2014 Rule 5 Draft, made one appearance after being recalled Friday.