Mets reliever Jeurys Familia isn’t concerned about how a potential shortened MLB season could impact his performance.
His colleagues, however, are a different story.
Familia, along with new teammate Dellin Betances, have been working out with celebrity trainer Dave Paladino, at his Impact Zone Fitness in Norwood, New Jersey.
Being able to maintain a consistent training regimen has been beneficial for Familia. However, not every baseball player has access to similar options. It’s a thought which has not gone over Familia’s head.
“I think it’ll cause a lot of injuries,” Familia told Pat Ragazzo of Metsmerized. “Most guys aren’t fortunate enough to have the same level of training as me and Dellin. Thank God Dave is allowing us to use his facility so we can throw every day, stretch out our arms, and get the proper physical training we need to prepare.”
Major League Baseball has been diligently working towards finalizing a start date for the 2020 regular season. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the league and players are looking at an abbreviated schedule.
The current timeline is for a second Spring Training to begin early June, with Opening Day around July 1. That’s if MLB and the players’ union can agree on a proposal that benefits both sides.
The timeline doesn’t leave much room for pitchers and position players to get ready.
Those who have been able to maintain their training programs will have a smoother transition. Familia says he, and Betances, have been in touch with the Mets’ trainers as they continue their preparation.
“We’ve been in contact with the team trainer, so we come here every day to work on what they give us to do,” he said. “We’ve been staying physically and mentally prepared. That’s the key for us.”
These are professional athletes, no one needs to remind them of the importance of maintaining a healthy diet and training program. The uncertainty of this situation, however, presents a formidable challenge.
Familia’s concerns are valid and, chances are, they’re likely shared by some of his colleagues.
