Bobby Parnell’s season has gone from bad to worse.
The right-hander is expected to be placed on the 15-day disabled list today because of a circulatory problem in his right middle finger.
He will undergo more tests today, including — according to him — an angiogram. “They don’t think it’s anything serious,” Parnell said before the Mets’ 4-3 loss to the Astros at Citi Field. “They didn’t say anything about an aneurysm.”
Parnell, who did not pitch last night, said doctors are leaning toward it being a blood clot issue, and he will be on an aspirin diet to try to alleviate the problem.
The issue has prevented Parnell from gripping the ball properly.
“It’s multiplied when I grip a baseball and really start letting the ball go,” Parnell said. “When I light-toss, I feel it, and throughout the day, every now and then I feel it.”
Though the doctors have told Parnell they don’t believe it’s a significant problem, he said it’s more of a worry than a typical arm injury.
“To have something like this is kind of concerning because I don’t know much about it,” Parnell said. “[The doctors] said it’s not uncommon for them, and they’ve seen it before, so that makes me feel better.”
Manager Terry Collins said he intends to use Jason Isringhausen in the eighth inning in Parnell’s absence. Isringhausen pitched a scoreless night last night.
Parnell’s expected placement on the disabled list will make room for the return of Jason Bay today. Bay went 1-for-3 with two runs and two walks last night in his last minor league rehab game.
*
Chris Young (right biceps tendinitis) threw yesterday and according to Collins will throw a simulated game today and a full bullpen session on Saturday.
“We’d like to get him ready for next week,” Collins said of Young, who also is on the 15-day DL.
*
Pat Misch cleared waivers yesterday and will report to Triple-A Buffalo. Ronny Paulino, still on the DL, reported to Buffalo, as well.
*
The Mets’ 5-13 start is the second worst in team history, surpassed by just the 1962 and 1964 clubs, which were both 3-15. . . . They have lost their last five series after opening the season with a series win in Florida and are 1-4 in one-run games.
*
R.A. Dickey dropped his third straight decision, despite going a season-high eight innings and surrendering four runs. . . . Daniel Murphy tied his career-high with three hits last night and hit his first homer of the year.