The New York Mets announced on Tuesday that closing pitcher Bobby Parnell suffered a partially torn ligament in his pitching elbow.
The team believes that Parnell will likely need surgery, reports ESPN. Before making a final determination on surgery, Parnell will rest the elbow for two weeks. He also received a platelet-rich plasma injection.
Worries first arose after Monday night's opening night loss to the Washington Nationals. Parnell said that there was tightness in his right forearm and in the morning an MRI confirmed the partial tear.
According to Reuters, with Parnell out, the Mets will likely turn to Jose Valverde to take over primary closing duties for the time being. The 36-year-old most recently played for the Detroit Tigers.
Parnell's injury and subsequent two-week loss, and possibly more, hurts a team already a little thin in the bullpen. Starting pitcher Matt Harvey is currently still recovering from a torn ulnar collateral ligament, also in his right elbow, that he had surgery on towards the end of the last season.
The Mets intend to bring up Kyle Farnsworth from the minors to help bolster the bullpen.