Mets notebook: New York optimistic regarding Jeurys Familia

All the New York Mets can do now is wait for the hammer to drop after closer Jeurys Familia met with MLB commissioner Rob Manfred on Monday regarding his alleged domestic violence incident in October.

Familia was arrested in Fort Lee, New Jersey and charged with simple assault against his wife, Bianca Rivas. The case was dismissed in December by a New Jersey judge after Rivas expressed her desire for the prosecution to drop all charges.

Many expect the right-hander to miss the first 30 games of the season, but sources told Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News that the Mets believe Familia will be suspended for just 15.

Manfred stated in February that a decision on Familia would be made before Opening Day. He has less than one week to stick by that statement.

Don’t count out Matz yet

Despite being scratched from his spring training start on Sunday due to elbow discomfort, left-hander Steven Matz is not going quietly.

After a 55-pitch flat-ground throwing session on Monday, Matz threw again on Tuesday from flat ground and the mound, Mets pitching coach Dan Warthen told Mike Puma of the New York Post.

Warthen added that Matz looked “pretty decent.” On Monday, the 25-year-old did show some signs of mechanical issues, per Newsday’s David Lennon.

If Matz is able to prove to management that he is good to go, there is a good chance that both Zack Wheeler and Seth Lugo could be left off the big-league roster come Opening Day.

Lagares’ injury does not look serious but could affect roster moves

Center fielder Juan Lagares was removed from the Mets’ spring training game on Saturday against the Atlanta Braves with an oblique injury.

The prognosis seems to be good, though. Star outfielder Yoenis Cespedes told ESPN Deportes’ Marly Rivera that an MRI on Tuesday came back negative and that“he’ll be alright in a week or so.”

Lagares did not disclose his MRI results but did tell Rivera that he was feeling “almost at a 100 percent.”

The 28-year-old possesses one of the finest defensive gloves in baseball and is only one of two true centerfielders on the Mets roster behind Curtis Granderson.

Any possible absence from Lagares would open the door for Michael Conforto to grab hold of a roster spot considering Brandon Nimmo is still recovering from a hamstring injury he picked up during the World Baseball Classic.

After struggling mightily in 2016, Conforto has been tearing it up at spring training, batting .321 with three home runs and five RBI in 56 at bats.