Mets say Bobby Parnell and Vic Black will begin rehab assignments soon

Terry Collins said today that relief pitchers Bobby Parnell and Vic Black will begin rehab assignment soon, according to ESPN New York. Parnell is expected to be assigned to St. Lucie of the Florida State League, while Black will be placed at a higher level, Parnell has been out since Opening Day 2014 after having Tommy John surgery on his right elbow and has been expected to rejoin the Mets sometime in May. Black was shutdown on March 9 after logging just two spring training innings with weakness in his pitching shoulder.

The Mets bullpen could certainly use the healthy, right arms of both Parnell and Black at the back of their bullpen after learning yesterday that closer Jennry Mejia was suspended eighty games by Major League Baseball for testing positive for the steroid stanozolol. Parnell previously held the closer role before injuring his elbow last year and could reclaim it. Jeurys Familia is getting a shot at the gig for the time being.

In the two seasons before last year, Parnell was a very good relief pitcher. In 118.2 innings between 2012 and 2013, he had a 2.35 ERA and 2.71 FIP. And while Black has not been quite as good—and doesn't have as long a track record—he has a 2.96 ERA and 3.67 FIP thus far in his major league career, which began in 2013.