Staff and wire report
ATLANTA ó The New York Mets are moving rookie Bobby Parnell, an East Rowan High School graduate, back to the bullpen.
Mets manager Jerry Manuel said Parnell will return to a starting role in winter ball, but the team’s long-term plans for the right-hander are uncertain.
“It’s tough not knowing what’s your role, but I’m not going to let that get in my way,” Parnell said in an interview with The (Newark) Star-Ledger. “I’m going to take every opportunity and go.”
Manuel said the move “strengthens us in the bullpen” for the last two weeks of the season.
Parnell turned 25 on Sept. 8. He is 3-8 with a 5.60 ERA in 62 games, including 1-5 with a 7.93 ERA in eight starts.
“I’m not discouraged,” Parnell told The Star-Ledger. “I know I had a couple bad outings, but I know that wasn’t me.”
Parnell hit 100 mph on the Fenway Park radar gun during a relief outing against Boston in May, and Manuel said he looked comparable to Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon that evening.
Parnell, a starter throughout his time in the minor leagues, moved into the Mets’ rotation in early August. He threw six shutout innings against San Francisco in his second start and struck out seven batters in seven scoreless innings against the Chicago Cubs on Sept. 4.
Parnell gave up seven hits and four runs (three earned) with three walks and four strikeouts in 31/3 innings Wednesday night at Turner Field. He got a no-decision in a 6-5 loss to Atlanta.