Closer Bobby Parnell had been scheduled to pitch in a minor-league game today, however he told Adam Rubin of ESPN New York that that plan has been scrapped and instead he’ll throw another bullpen session this morning. “It’s all good,” he told Rubin. Parnell is sidelined with a left hamstring injury. He is expected to begin the season on the disabled list with a possible May return to MLB action.
Reliever Vic Black is scheduled to throw on flat ground today for the first time since being sidelined with a weak shoulder. He told reporters that he expects to throw off a mound on Saturday. Black was prescribed rest and rehab after an MRI showed he had no structural damage in his right shoulder. He was diagnosed with tendinitis, Sandy Alderson said last week.
Zack Wheeler will likely have his Tommy John surgery this week after he meets with Dr. Altchek in New York. He declined to comment on his condition this morning in the Mets clubhouse and when asked how he felt emotionally a Mets official stepped in and stopped the interview. “I know you all have a lot of questions and stuff, but I’m not going to talk until I get Dr. Altchek’s input,” Wheeler said.
According to baseball data analyst Jon Roegele (@MLBPlayerAnalys) of Hardball Times, after the Braves (30) and Rangers (28), the Mets (24) and Dodgers (24) lead the majors in most Tommy John surgeries since 2005. You can read all the data Jon’s compiled on TJS here.
