Manager Terry Collins said Sunday that Parnell (elbow), who is due to come off the disabled list as soon as this week, won't immediately reclaim closing duties, ESPN New York's Adam Rubin reports. Since Parnell will be coming off April 2014 Tommy John surgery upon rejoining the Mets' bullpen, there's little incentive to thrust him into a high-leverage role right away until he demonstrates that his velocity and control are up to par. Moreover, with Jeurys Familia (2.70 ERA, 5-for-5 in save opportunities) excelling thus far in the closing role, he's earned the right to continue those duties in the short-term. It's certainly possible that if Familia shows no signs of diminished effectiveness, Parnell will be forced to occupy little more than a setup role, regardless of how well he fares in his return from a year-long absence.

While Mets manager Terry Collins suggested Friday that Vic Black (shoulder) could return within a week, he said Parnell (elbow) is further off, Adam Rubin of ESPN New York reports. Parnell's velocity was down in his rehab appearance with High-A St. Lucie on Thursday, and it seems the skipper wants to see him add a few ticks before entrusting him with major league innings. Jeurys Familia will have a fairly significant window to put him stamp on the closer role for the Mets.

Parnell (elbow) made his second appearance with High-A St. Lucie on Thursday, allowing two runs on two hits in an inning of work, ESPN New York reports. Parnell's fastball sat at 89-93, topping out on the latter number on his final pitch. He mainly threw in the 91-92 mph range, down 3-4 mph from his fastball velocity pre-Tommy John surgery. Parnell is not yet ready to be activated and likely will need at 3-4 more appearances in the minors. His role upon returning to the majors is not set with Jeurys Familia effectively closing for the Mets with Jenrry Mejia suspended.

Parnell (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment with High-A St. Lucie on Tuesday, ESPN New York's Adam Rubin reports. The rehab assignment will likely be a pretty lengthy one, as Parnell is returning from Tommy John surgery. He's expected to join the Mets in late April or early May, and with Jenrry Mejia (suspension) out of the picture, Parnell could challenge Jeurys Familia for the closer's role. Familia has done well in the ninth inning thus far, and he posted a 2.21 ERA over 76 appearances last season.

Parnell (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment early this week and is expected to rejoin the Mets in late-April or early-May. Parnell could be in the mix to close with Jenrry Mejia (suspension) out of the equation. But if Jeurys Familia, who has notched saves his last two outings, settles into the closer role, Parnell would serve as his set-up man.

Parnell (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment within the next two days, the New York Daily News reports. Parnell is expected to join the Mets in mid-to-late April, and while Jenrry Mejia (elbow) was recently placed on the disabled list, Jeurys Familia will have time to settle into the closer's role. If Mejia remains sidelined and Familia struggles, it's possible Parnell could get a look in the ninth inning. First, he'll likely need to pitch in multiple minor-league games, given that he's working his way back from Tommy John surgery.

As expected, Parnell (elbow) is being placed on the disabled list retroactively by the Mets, ESPN New York's Adam Rubin reports. Parnell may return by the end of April, but it's little surprise that he's starting the season on the DL as the Mets have been limiting his late-spring appearances to minor league games.

Parnell pitched against Cardinals' minor-leaguers Wednesday, ESPN New York reports. Parnell's fastball started out at 88-89 mph but rose to 93-94 by the end of his outing. He allowed two doubles and a home run and failed to make it out of the inning. Parnell will open the year on the disabled list and will be activated anywhere from mid-to-late April.

Parnell (elbow) tossed a scoreless inning in a game against the Cardinals' Class-A players Sunday, ESPN New York reports. Parnell hit a batter and walked another while striking out one in a 16-pitch outing. He is expected to be activated from the disabled list within a couple weeks of Opening Day. Initially, he will likely be used as a set-up man but could regain the closer role from Jenrry Mejia.

Parnell (elbow) is expected to be activated from the DL within a couple weeks of Opening Day, ESPN New York reports. The Mets are playing it safe and labeling May 1 as a possible activation date, but it sounds like Parnell is progressing faster than expected and should make it back around mid-to-late April. Parnell, who underwent Tommy John surgery less than a year ago and also battled a hamstring strain in camp, is scheduled to make another appearance on the minor league side Sunday. He figures to reclaim a high-leverage job upon activation, though a return to the closer role is not a given.