Mets’ Jeurys Familia Has Arterial Clot In Shoulder, May Require Surgery

New York Mets closer Jeurys Familia has been diagnosed with an arterial clot in his right shoulder and may need season-ending surgery, the team announced Thursday.

Mets’ Jeurys Familia to have surgery on shoulder for arterial clot

The 27-year-old Dominican blew a save on Wednesday by allowing four runs (thee earned) on four hits in the top of the ninth inning of a 6-5 home loss to the San Francisco Giants, his third straight appearance and the finale of a three-game series.

Familia started this season with a 15-game suspension, which Major League Baseball handed him for a domestic violence incident with his wife last October. A judge dropped the charges in December.

The right-hander recorded a career-high 51 saves last season, and is 1-1 with a 3.86 ERA and three saves this campaign. He will be treated by Dr. Robert Thompson, an expert in circulation issues including Thoracic Outlet Syndrome who diagnosed and performed surgery on Matt Harvey last summer, and also performed surgery on former Mets pitcher Dillon Gee in 2012. Gee was similarly diagnosed with a blood clot in his shoulder and missed the remainder of that season.

Familia is the second Mets pitcher to suffer a severe injury this year. Starter Noah Syndergaard is on the 60-day disabled list and isn’t expected to return until at least the All-Star break due to a torn muscle behind his right arm.

Manager Terry Collins defended using Familia in Tuesday’s win over the Giants. The closer played even though the Mets held a five-run lead.

The Mets (16-17), who are second in the National League East, next visit the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night for the opener of a three-game series.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – AUGUST 21: Jeurys Familia #27 of the New York Mets pitches against the San Francisco Giants during the ninth inning at AT&T Park on August 21, 2016 in San Francisco, California. The New York Mets defeated the San Francisco Giants 2-0. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images)