MLB

Parnell out at least 6 weeks, Tommy John surgery possible

Bobby Parnell’s partially torn medial collateral ligament will sideline him for six weeks at best, the season at worst.

That leaves Jose Valverde not so much as the closer but as the last man standing. With Parnell on the disabled list, Vic Black demoted and the bullpen already in shambles, Valverde inherited the position by default.

He didn’t pitch Wednesday, not getting a chance as the Mets lost 5-1 to Washington. But the 36-year-old, who picked up as a non-roster invite to spring training, is now thrust into the most important role in the beleaguered bullpen.

“Well, he is, starting right now, yeah,’’ said Terry Collins, who praised Kyle Farnsworth’s experience but will mix-and-match the eighth inning. “We’ll certainly monitor everything as we go along, but right now, he would be the guy.’’

Parnell had been the guy, until this week. General manager Sandy Alderson said Parnell had soreness for several days before Monday’s appearance, but didn’t tell the Mets. He blew the save, was diagnosed with the MCL tear Tuesday, and will be shelved indefinitely. He will rest for two weeks and undergo a four-week throwing program to determine if he will require Tommy John surgery.

“There’s always the risk that it will completely tear. But because of the location, the doctors were comfortable with the conservative approach,’’ Alderson said. “He’ll rest for a couple of weeks. We should know in six weeks or so if this is successful.”

Now Valverde is the guy, despite going 0-1 with a 5.59 ERA last year in Detroit, designated for assignment in June and released in August.

“[It’s sad Parnell’s] hurt, because I respect this guy,” Valverde said. “I don’t want people [to say], ‘Oh, he’s hurt, you got the job.’ No. I don’t want anyone on the team, any one of my guys hurt.

“I have my opportunity. The Mets gave me a chance to support the team. I have my chance now. I feel bad for Bobby. He’s a good kid, and nobody wants to see the big guy hurt. But we’ll do a good job not only for the fans, for the owner, for the team.’’

Valverde — who lead the AL in saves in 2011 and the NL four years earlier — was 1-0 with a 3.38 ERA this spring, and pitched 1 ¹/₃ perfect innings in Monday’s opener. But he is not predicting a return to his old form, and said it will be a collaborative effort from the bullpen until Parnell’s return.

“It’s not only me [who] can close. [Jeurys] Familia, [Gonzalez] Germen, anybody can do it,’’ Valverde said. “What I want right now is for Bobby to be OK. I don’t want anything to happen to this guy, because he’s exactly what everybody told me in spring training: He’s a great guy, a good teammate and I feel so bad for him.

“It’s not about experience, this is about wins. This is what everybody wants right now, to go to the playoffs and win. I want this guy to come back soon, because I feel good with my job being setup man. I want to see this guy closing games for the Mets and for the fans.’’

The bullpen had a 3.98 ERA last year and 4.31 ERA since Alderson’s arrival, the second-worst in baseball. Germen gave up two hits and a run in two innings, Farnsworth a run in the ninth.