Frank Francisco arrived at camp with some inflammation following December surgery to remove a bone spur from his throwing elbow, but he managed to resume throwing earlier this week. Relievers generally don?t need much time to get tuned up for the season, but Mets manager Terry Collins isn?t counting on him.
According to Adam Rubin of ESPN New York, Collins said on WFAN yesterday that he?s moving forward as if Bobby Parnell will be the closer.
?I don?t think Frankie?s going to be ready for Opening Day, so it?ll be Bobby [Parnell],? Terry Collins told WFAN about the closer?s role. ?And you know what? He can take that job and run with it.?
Francisco was awful in the closer role last season, posting a 5.53 ERA over 48 appearances, so it?s possible Collins would opt for Parnell even if he was 100 percent. The 33-year-old right-hander is owed $6.5 million in 2013 in the final year of his contract.
As for Parnell, he?s plenty worthy of the opportunity, even though he has struggled in previous opportunities as closer. The 28-year-old right-hander had an excellent 2.49 ERA and 61/20 K/BB ratio over 68 2/3 innings last season and has become a more effective pitcher since he implemented a knuckle-curve to complement his electric fastball.
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