Jeurys Familia pleads not guilty to domestic violence charge

New York Mets closer Jeurys Familia pleaded not guilty on Thursday to a charge of domestic violence.

The right-hander is charged with simple assault for allegedly causing "bodily injury to another" in an incident with his wife, Bianca, on Oct. 31 at an apartment complex in Fort Lee, N.J.

Investigating officers responded at 2:22 a.m. and found that the victim had scratches on her chest and a bruise on her cheek.

Familia, 27, who is from the Dominican Republic, is identified in the complaint as Jeurys F. Modica.

If convicted, Familia faces up to six months in jail.

Familia is free on $1,500 bond.

Fort Lee Municipal Court Judge John DeSheplo removed the court order barring contact between Familia and his wife, at the request of the victim.

Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred said Wednesday that the league will investigate the case before deciding on the level of punishment for Familia.

Coincidentally, Familia is featured in a new ad campaign to help stop domestic violence. The campaign is sponsored by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Familia is featured along with New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi and other New York-area current and former athletes.

Familia saved a career-best 51 games for the Mets this season. His campaign ended on a sour note when he served up the decisive three-run homer to San Francisco's Conor Gillaspie in the National League wild-card game.

Familia emerged as a standout in 2014 and became New York's closer the following year. He has 100 career saves -- 94 coming in the past two years.