Mets Morning News: Frank Francisco Is Not ITBSOHL

Meet the Mets

Frank Francisco's elbow is barking and the Mets' closer has been shut down for the time being. Should Francisco have to start the year on the disabled list, it looks like Bobby Parnell will inherit the closer duties.

Terry Collins gave his "State Of The Mets" address yesterday afternoon.

Adam Rubin has an early projection of what the Opening Day roster could look like.

Johan Santana is all ready to go in what seems likely to be his final year with the Mets.

Pedro Feliciano is back and it sounds like he may have a leg up on the competition for a bullpen slot, as long as he's healthy and effective.

Around the Majors

Felix Hernandez's deal with the Mariners is now complete.

Gio Gonzalez is confident that his name will be cleared of any wrongdoing in the Biogenesis scandal.

Ryan Madson's surgically repaired elbow is acting up and the righty will have an MRI.

Diamondbacks catcher Miguel Montero gave some insight into why the team was willing to deal top prospect Trevor Bauer. Bauer, meanwhile, sidestepped Montero's comments. Also related, Didi Gregorius (the prospect acquired for Bauer) has been shut down with an elbow strain and may miss Opening Day.

The anti-inflammatory drug Toradol has gained a great deal of publicity of late (R.A. Dickey famously used it to pitch through a plantar fascia injury) but the Red Sox are now looking further into the drug due to potential health risks involved with its use.

Yesterday At AA

Chris McShane reviewed some potential outfield trade targets, though things are looking bleaker with start of spring training games in a week and a half.

Brandon Lyon's strikeout rate in 2012 was easily a career best. So is this a fluke or something sustainable? Eno Sarris explores this further.

David Moseder looks back at February 12th in Mets' history.