Parnell, Herrera, D'Arnaud Expected To Return To Mets This Week
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Help is on the way.
Relief pitcher Bobby Parnell, second baseman Dilson Herrera and -- most importantly -- catcher Travis d'Arnaud are expected to return to the Mets this week.
New York sorely needs an offensive boost, and manager Terry Collins is hoping that Herrera and d'Arnaud come out of the gate swinging -- and connecting.
"We need performance, not names," Collins told reporters on Sunday. "It's important that when Travis comes back or Dilson is ready to go, that they are ready to help us. We can't go through a two-week spring training. They have got to be ready to help us."
D'Arnaud was placed on the disabled list on April 21 after breaking a bone in his hand. Prior to getting hurt, he was hitting .317 (13-for-41) with two homers and 10 RBIs in 11 games. He'll take over for Kevin Plawecki, who has been starting in his absence.
Herrera, recovering from a broken finger tip, has been sidelined since May 14. In 10 games he hit .235 (8-for-34) with a homer and three RBIs. The 21-year-old will likely start at second base with Daniel Murphy on the disabled list.
D'Arnaud and Herrera were sent to Triple-A Las Vegas on Sunday. They may not be activated until this weekend, when the Mets host the Braves at Citi Field.
Parnell, who was the closer entering 2014, is coming off Tommy John surgery and hasn't pitched since last year's season opener.
The 30-year-old has been hit hard during his minor league rehab assignment. In seven appearances with the Double-A Binghamton Mets, the right-hander has surrendered 10 earned runs in just 6 1/3 innings of work. His fastball velocity has reportedly been down from 96-97 mph to 90-92 mph.
"We have to get him here and see him," pitching coach Dan Warthen said, according to the New York Daily News. "I want to see him throw before we figure out what is going to happen."
