ARLINGTON, Texas — If you’re a reliever joining the A’s this season, you can expect a heavy workload.
The A’s bullpen has already registered 371 2/3 innings of work this season, good for second-most in the American League (not counting Tampa Bay, which generally starts out the game with a reliever.) Jeurys Familia, the right-hander the A’s acquired from the Mets over the weekend, has already found this out.
Familia had pitched two innings for the Mets once in 40 games this season. He’s already done it twice in his first two outings with Oakland, both scoreless appearances in which he recorded the win, including scoreless eighth and ninth innings in Tuesday’s wack 13-10 comeback victory in extras. It’s a bit of a different role all around from the one he was used to with the Mets, where he was the closer and recorded the third-most saves in franchise history. But it’s one he embraces.
“This is why we play this game, to have a chance to win it all,” Familia said. “Whatever role they need me to pitch in for however many innings, I’m ready to help this team.”
With rookie sensation Lou Trivino already at 46 1/3 innings pitched, on pace to eclipse the most innings he’s ever thrown as a reliever at any level, Familia can expect more outing like the ones he’s found himself in early on with the A’s as manager Bob Melvin looks to limit Trivino’s workload through the next grueling two months.
Though Familia was sad to leave New York, the club he originally signed with in 2008 and spent 11 seasons with, the thrill of being in a playoff race has helped him make an easy adjustment to his new team.
“When you’re going through a tougher time and you have a new lease going somewhere else, that certainly can elevate at least how you feel about things going on,” Melvin said before Monday’s series opener against the Rangers. “I know he was in a pretty good mood yesterday, and to go out and perform the way he has would suggest he’s into it. I sat down and talked to him today and he’s excited about being here and will pitch in any role we ask.”
