PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) — New York Mets manager Terry Collins plans to use Bobby Parnell as the team’s closer if Frank Francisco is not ready to pitch on opening day.
Francisco has been shut down with the same right elbow inflammation that ended his season last September and ultimately led to December surgery to remove bone spurs.
Collins told Parnell on Tuesday night that he would be the first reliever in line if Francisco isn’t able to start the season with the team.
Collins said Wednesday that newcomer Brandon Lyon would likely would move into the eighth-inning spot in that scenario.
