The Mets announced today that relief pitcher Frank Francisco recently underwent surgery to have a bone spur removed from his pitching elbow. According to Andy McCullough on twitter, Francisco is expected to start throwing again in about six weeks, which should allow him to have a fairly normal Spring Training and he is expected to be ready for Opening Day.

Francisco saved 23 games for the Mets last year, pitching to a 5.53 ERA in his first go-round as Mets closer. He only pitched 42 1/3 innings last year due to an oblique strain in July and then suffered through a bout of elbow inflammation in September that ended his season and likely led to this surgery. Bobby Parnell got the bulk of the save opportunities during Francisco's various absences last year, but Francisco is likely the incumbent closer for 2013 on account of the 6.5 million he's due to make on the final year of his two-year deal.