Bobby Parnell

Mets reliever Bobby Parnell nailed down a five out save in a win over Toronto Tuesday night. Parnell gave up one hit and had two strikeouts. This was Parnells first save since he had Tommy John surgery and first one since July 30 of 2013.

Fantasy Impact

With Mets closer Jeurys Familia unavailable the Mets turned to Parnell tonight. He's not an add in fantasy right now but if Familia was to go down with an injury Parnell would likely be given the first shot to close.

Bobby Parnell, recovering from Tommy John surgery, was diagnosed with forearm soreness as he continues his rehab assignment. Parnell will be shut down for five days to rest his arm.

Fantasy Impact

This setback will delay Parnell's eventual return to the Mets. Fortunately, the pain he experienced wasn't a more severe setback in his recovery. Notwithstanding, between this somewhat minor setback and Jeurys Familia's continued dominance in the role as Mets closer, it's highly unlikely Parnell will displace Familia when he returns. Parnell can be largely ignored in formats that don't reward holds.

Parnell is coming off of Tommy John surgery and, assuming all goes well with rehab, can be expected to rejoin the Mets in late-April/early-May.

Fantasy Impact

Parnell poses a possible threat to Jeurys Familia's current hold on the closer role. If Familia is unable to run with the role in the next couple of weeks, it wouldn't be surprising to see Terry Collins reinstate Parnell as closer. Familia would then move back to the 8th inning set-up role. Familia owners should consider stashing Parnell in a DL slot, assuming league rules allow them to do so.

Parnell has stated he expects to regain his role as closer for the Mets upon his return from the DL (Tommy John surgery) in late April/early May. Manager Terry Collins has also stated this off-season that the closer role is Parnell's to lose.

Fantasy Impact

Despite the fact that Jenrry Mejia excelled as Mets' closer last season, following Parnell's season ending injury, at this early stage it looks like Collins will lean to reinsert Parnell into the closer role once he returns from the DL. The logical move would be to stick with Mejia as closer in 2015 - or at least see how Mejia performs as closer in April before making a decision regarding Parnell's role when he returns. That said, we are talking about the Mets and Terry Collins. From a fantasy perspective, given the closer role uncertainty with the Mets, managers should not reach for Mejia in drafts and treat him as a low-end closer option with the possibility of a high ceiling. Managers should, likewise, steer clear of Parnell at drafts until very late rounds (or as a free agent pickup) adding him soley as a speculative closer given the uncertainty surrounding him (injury, Mejia (and Familia) competition)