The Mets bullpen took a double blow today, with red-hot reliever Josh Edgin put on the disabled list with a stress fracture and closer Bobby Parnell ruled out until at least Sunday with a neck issue, and in all likelihood until after being reexamined Monday.
The Mets will bring up Pedro Feliciano to replace Edgin.
“It caught me off guard this morning. I was thinking alright just take a couple days and get it healed back up. I guess I found out otherwise,’’ said Edgin, who first felt discomfort when he pitched in consecutive games in Pittsburgh on July 12 and 13. But it wasn’t until Monday’s outing in Miami that he became concerned.
“When I threw in Miami the second game there something it hurt a little more after than it usually did,’’ said Edgin. “That’s when we said alright lets go ahead with the MRI and make sure it’s nothing serious. Come to find out that’s what it was.’’
Clearly, with today’s MRI revealing a stress fracture in his eighth rib on his left side. For Edgin – who has pitched to a sterling 0.93 ERA in 23 outings since being recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas – it was particularly galling.
“It’s very frustrating,’’ said Edgin. “I was starting to get on a roll there, throw like how I know how to throw, starting to figure out some things mechanically. It happens, I guess.’’
The Mets will also be without Parnell, who has been suffering from a neck issue and has not pitched since Tuesday in Miami.
“Bobby has seen as doctor he has gotten some medication to quiet this area down, see if we can get those muscles to relax a little bit,’’ Collins said. “He’ll be reexamined on Monday and see how he is.’’
When asked if he expected Parnell – who has 22 saves and a 2.16 ERA – to be available before them, Collins shrugged and said “We don’t know. He’s not available tonight for sure and tomorrow; maybe Sunday.’’
Until then, Collins said the Mets will use David Aardsma as the closer and leave LaTroy Hawkins in an eighth-inning role.