Just Mets

Here’s a quick update on Vic Black and Bobby Parnell as they continue their rehab assignments in the Mets minor leagues:

• Black has made two rehab appearances for Triple-A Las Vegas since being transferred from Binghamton. He got rocked in his first outing on June 4 when he allowed four runs in only 1/3 of an inning, but he pitched a perfect inning of relief last night for the 51s. He has been on the disabled list all year with weakness in his shoulder caused by a herniated disc in his neck. There is still no timetable for him to return, although his rehab assignment will expire in about a week.
• Parnell’s struggles continued on Saturday night with Binghamton – he allowed a solo home run in one inning of relief. Parnell has allowed 18 earned runs in only 13 innings over two rehab stints. He has been on the disabled list all year as he continues to recover from April, 2014 Tommy John Surgery. Like Black, Parnell’s rehab assignment will expire in about one week.

On Sunday in Phoenix, Terry Collins said Parnell will make one more rehab appearance before being activated from the disabled list.

Given the body of work and his inconsistent velocity during two stints on rehab, that might not be the wisest thing for the club to do.

Perhaps they would consider removing him from his rehab assignment and have him pitch in some extended spring training games to continue building arm strength and polishing command. Of course, given its his walk year and a number of other reasons, it seems unlikely he’d accept an optional assignment (he has five years of service time, so it requires his permission).

Terry Collins said recently boredom and the confines of the team’s minor league complex could have been one of the issues for Parnell, but the fact remains he had trouble getting Florida State League hitters out, and is now having trouble getting Eastern League hitters out.

Boredom can’t be the only issue at the moment.

Original post, 1:25 pm, update 2:02 pm