The Bobby Parnell which was activated from an effective 22 month stint on the disabled list with neck and elbow issues was hardly the Parnell anyone recognized from before.
The Parnell everyone knew was somebody who could rely on a 100 mph fastball and a devastating knuckle curve, blowing the ball by hitters while racking up strikeouts and saves for the Mets.
But Parnell had been weathered by surgery to repair a herniated disc in his neck in September, 2013 and Tommy John Surgery on his elbow in April, 2014, the latter he has admitted might have been caused indirectly by the issues with his neck.
The Parnell which made it’s debut on June 13 was somebody who suddenly had to rely on wit, guile and craft to get hitters out. His fastball lucky to hit 93 mph, and his knuckle curve lacked life in it’s own right as well which has limited his ability to miss bats.
Still, Parnell has found a way with a fastball averaging in the low-90s. During this trial, he has allowed 13 base runners in 12 1/3 inning over 13 appearances, and come up with some clutch performances out of the bullpen in the process. He has earned his way into an increased number of high leverage situations, becoming a primary weapon for Terry Collins in the eighth inning and delivering every single time for his manager.
But on Tuesday night against the Nationals, Parnell did more than deliver a shutdown performance in the eighth inning.
For the first time since he went down in July, 2013 with his neck problem, Parnell had that extra life on his fastball again with his final pitch hitting 96.7 mph, according to Pitch F/X.
In a way, it’s yet another milestone in the recovery process for Parnell. He may still have to rely on wit and guile to get through his outings successfully, but it’s clear he may be reaching an end-stage in his recovery, and the old Bobby Parnell might finally be coming back.
If it is and the Mets truly have another fireballer in late-game situations, the bullpen suddenly becomes that much more formidable down the stretch of the season.
Just Mets 