Bobby Parnell to have Tommy John Surgery

The Mets announced Sunday evening that Bobby Parnell will need Tommy John. He will undergo the procedure on Tuesday.

Parnell blew a save Opening Day and then complained of arm pain. An MRI showed a partial ligament tear in his elbow. The tear is in the thicker part of the ligament, so the initial feeling was that perhaps surgery was not going to be necessary, that rest and a then a throwing program may do the trick.

However, Bobby Parnell decided to forego that rehab attempt. ESPN New York reports that Parnell “reasoned” that since the recovery time from Tommy John is roughly a year, he figured he would have the surgery now so he would be ready for Opening Day next season.

Jose Valverde has already stepped in as the closer. He has been brilliant in his three outings thus far; one save and six strikeouts, allowing no runs on two hits.