PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- For the first time since last July 30, Bobby Parnell faced batters Saturday. Parnell pronounced the batting-practice session against teammates including David Wright and Daniel Murphy a success.
Bobby Parnell
#39 RP
New York Mets
2013 STATS
- GM49
W5
L5
BB12
K44
- ERA2.16
"There was no pain. There was no soreness," Parnell said. "There was nothing holding me back today, so it was a good first step."
Pitching coach Dan Warthen expects Parnell as well as Bartolo Colon (calf) and Jonathon Niese (shoulder) to pitch in their first game March 6, in a "B" game.
Wright took Parnell to the base of the right-center wall, although Parnell did shatter Murphy's bat.
Parnell had been slowed by a left quadriceps strain that still slightly lingers.
"Obviously I don't have that second gear to run as hard as I want to, but I have been going through everything half or three-quarters speed and am still getting my work done," Parnell said. "It's still there. It's babying it a little bit and getting therapy every day."
Parnell added that he has "no doubt" he will be ready for Opening Day.
"I'll be good to go," he said.
