Bobby Parnell has minor hamstring issue, game action delayed 4 to 5 days

Bobby Parnell, who was initially set to return to game action on Wednesday in Jupiter against the Marlins, will be held back a few days as a precaution due to a hamstring issue in his left leg.

Per Adam Rubin of ESPN New York, pitching coach Dan Warthen said that Parnell’s arm is ready, but that the team doesn’t want to take any chances with the hamstring.

Terry Collins told assembled reporters, including Mike Vorkunov of the Bergen Record, that Parnell has been dealing with the hamstring issue for about 10 days but that he should enter a game in 4 to 5 days.

Parnell, who had Tommy John surgery shortly after Opening Day last season, was already ticketed for the disabled list to start the season, but is expected to be ready to return shortly after.

Sandy Alderson estimated earlier in Spring Training that Parnell could return by late-April. Terry Collins has suggested Parnell could return shortly after that, in early-May.

Parnell, 30, had a breakout season as the Mets’ closer in 2013, posting a 2.16 ERA and 1.00 WHIP while striking out 7.92 batters per 9 over 49 games (50 innings pitched).

Earlier in the offseason, Collins suggested that Parnell would return to the role of closer once he was ready for game action. However, Collins recently said that it Jenrry Mejia is pitching well, he’ll remain as closer.

By either estimate you use (Collins’ or Alderson’s), Parnell is slated to return to the majors roughly 13 months post-surgery – on the short end of the average Tommy John surgery recovery time.

Thoughts:

When Bobby Parnell returns, the Mets will have a tough decision to make when it comes to who to drop from the bullpen.

As it stands, the Mets’ bullpen on Opening Day should consist of Jenrry Mejia, Jeurys Familia, Vic Black, Carlos Torres, Dillon Gee, and perhaps two other left-handers. Josh Edgin’s injury has thrown a wrench into things, leaving Rule 5 draftee Sean Gilmartin, Dario Alvarez, Scott Rice, and Jack Leathersich as the healthy lefty options in camp.

The Mets will be in a bit of a predicament when Parnell returns due to the fact that Gee’s presence on the roster (and likely in the bullpen) will almost certainly hamstring them when it comes to making room in the pen.

Unless the Mets demote a pitcher like Vic Black – which would be a detrimental move if he’s pitching well – they’ll probably have to drop the second left-hander (assuming they carry one) when Parnell returns – perhaps leading Terry Collins to overuse whichever lefty remains through no fault of his own.