Report: Mets' Jeurys Familia a future candidate to close?

The Mets plan to give Jeurys Familia late-inning, high-impact work in preparation for a potential closing role.

The New York Mets have decided to get starting pitcher Jeurys Familia involved in some high-impact situations late in games during the season's final two weeks, according to ESPNNewYork.com's Adam Rubin.

The Mets' intent, reports Rubin, is to see if Familia will be a capable closer in 2013 when Frank Francisco, who has one more year on the free-agent deal he signed last offseason, is unavailable.

Familia has made four appearances with the Mets this season, including finishing three games in non-save situations. He has allowed two earned runs on five hits and no walks in five innings while striking out five.

Familia has started 109 of the 110 games he's pitched in the minor leagues over a five-year career. This season, he was 9-9 in 28 Triple-A starts with 4.73 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 128 strikeouts in 137 innings.

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