Bobby Parnell opts for Tommy John surgery; may not be worst move for Mets

Cassandra Negley

Bobby Parnell opts for Tommy John surgery; may not be worst move for Mets image

Whether you're a New York Mets fan or not, you likely know the "Family Guy" clip that sums up a typical Mets season rather well. 

MORE: Pirates prospect needs Tommy John | Child asks Jesus why Mets are so bad 

It wasn't the first pitch, and keep in mind the Mets' season is far from over. But the team's 2014 outlook did take a hit on opening day. 

Closer Bobby Parnell blew the save on a day in which the Mets are usually heavy favorites to win. Joke all you want, the orange and blue entered Monday 32-20 on opening day. But with two outs in the ninth inning of a 5-4 game, Parnell gave up an RBI double to the Nationals' Denard Span. The Mets went on to lose 9-7 in 10 innings.

The woes didn't stop when the masses left Citi Field. 

Parnell didn't have speed on the ball, he was still recovering from surgery on a herniated disk in his back that kept him out for two months last season and his spring training was subpar. He didn't look like Parnell, the guy who in 50 innings last seaon had a 2.16 ERA and 22 saves, so it wasn't a shock when he complained of tightness in his elbow after the 25-pitch outing.

The diagnosis: a partially torn right medial collateral ligament. The 29-year-old received a platelet-rich plasma injection and originally planned to rehab it. 

He will instead be undergoing Tommy John surgery Tuesday, the Mets announced Sunday night. He originally was to start a throwing program, but according MLB.com, a team source said after talking it over with his family Parnell opted for the surgery so that he could avoid missing time in 2015. Tommy John surgery typically carries a 12-month recovery process.

It's a blow to the organization, which now turns to Jose Valverde for its closing needs. The bullpen struggled right out of the gate and Terry Collins seems worried — rightfully so — to go to the bullpen at the first sign of his starter slowing down. Offense is a struggle for the Mets, yet when it makes an appearance the bullpen washes away the progress.

So now Parnell will join Matt Harvey and Jeremy Hefner, as well as an increasing number of other major leaguers, in Tommy John surgery recovery mode. Harvey, the Mets' star ace and young hope, has insisted he'll return to pitch late this season. If he does it'll be only a handful of appearances.

The Mets are looking toward 2015 when Harvey will return to the starting rotation, Zack Wheeler will have a full year under his belt and top prospect Noah Syndergaard will be up in the majors. The team still needs help at shortstop, whether that be through an improved Ruben Tejada or an off-season addition. The first base competition is still on-going, with Lucas Duda pulling heroics in a loss Saturday and Ike Davis pulling off the Mets' highlight of the month

While the Mets are indeed looking toward next season and beyond, they need to be careful about writing too much of this off. Citi Field has been largely empty, though it is still wintry in the northeast, and fans are already beyond frustrated.

It's a disappointing loss for the joke of the East, but the season has largely been written off as it is anyway. They're better off not messing around, getting Parnell healthy and prepare to prove Family Guy wrong when Opening Day 2015 rolls around. 

Cassandra Negley