Parnell struggles in extended spring game

NEW YORK -- Still struggling to ramp his velocity back to normal levels, former closer Bobby Parnell gave up four hits and three runs over 1 1/3 innings on Tuesday in an extended spring training game. Parnell also allowed three runs in an inning during a rehab outing for Class A St. Lucie last week.

Though Parnell entered Spring Training hoping to return to the Mets as soon as mid-April, his road back from Tommy John surgery has proven significantly rockier. Last month he shut down his rehab due to a bout of tightness in his right forearm.

"I don't have a real concern about it," general manager Sandy Alderson said, confirming that Parnell's velocity sat around 90-92 mph during Tuesday's outing. "I just think we need to be realistic and not push him too hard, because ultimately, the goal is to have Bobby back and effective at the Major League level. Simply being back isn't really enough."

Rather than advance to a higher Minor League level, Alderson said, Parnell will likely make at least one more outing in Port St. Lucie, Fla.

Alderson also volunteered that although right-hander Vic Black was more successful than Parnell in the same extended spring game on Tuesday, inheriting the bases loaded and emerging unscathed, Black's velocity also sat in the low-90s -- noticeably lower than his usual range.

"We've still got a way to go," Alderson said.

Parnell and Black are not the only Mets moving slowly in their rehab programs. Both third baseman David Wright (tightness in lower back) and catcher Travis d'Arnaud (fractured right pinkie) are a minimum of seven to 10 days from rejoining the Mets, Alderson said, despite recently restarting baseball activities.