New York Mets closer Bobby Parnell has been cleared for baseball activities after recovering from surgery on a herniated disk in his neck last September.
According to reports, New York Mets relief pitcher Bobby Parnell has been cleared to resume baseball activities after recovering from September surgery on a herniated disk in his neck. Parnell did not appear in a game after July 30. Shortly after the surgery, Mets manager Terry Collins commented that Parnell had lost 30 pounds and expressed concern that he would not be available for the start of the 2014 season.
Parnell appeared in 49 games for the Mets in 2013, posting a 2.16 ERA and recording a save in 22 of his 26 opportunities. Parnell is expected to be the closer for the Mets heading into the 2014 season, and his encouraging recovery suggests that the Mets have one less bullpen spot to fill before the start of the season.
Other than Parnell, the state of the Mets' bullpen remains uncertain. No other pitcher appears to have a guaranteed job, though Vic Black, Carlos Torres, and Scott Rice are front-runners for bullpen spots.
