MIAMI -- Terry Collins summed up Jeurys Familia's first major league start matter-of-factly.

"Too many. Too many walks," Collins said.

"Jeurys did a nice job of getting out of trouble," the manager continued, referring to the four scoreless innings Familia produced, despite walking six, in the Mets' 3-2 loss to the Marlins on Monday night. "Again, we saw quality stuff -- quality, quality stuff. Certainly there's a lot of work ahead to get he and Jenrry [Mejia] in the strike zone. But, boy, I'll tell you what: If we can do it, we've got two outstanding-looking young pitchers. They are really, really good-looking pitchers.

"Wally [Backman] said it on the bench -- that's been [Familia's] problem, the base on balls. But you saw, when he's over the plate, they don't hit him. I know Dan [Warthen] was talking to him between innings. He said to him twice: 'Make them swing the bat. Make them hit the ball. Go out there with the idea you're going to make them hit the ball,' because his stuff is quality and they're not going to get a lot of barrel on it."

Said Familia: "I have to keep working on my fastball command."

As for relieving in winter ball and possibly in the Mets' bullpen in 2013 despite being a lifelong starter, Familia said: "I said whatever spot they put me, I'll do my job. I have to do the job. I'm a starter my whole life. But if it has to be in the bullpen, I'll be fine with that."