[lw789]

NEW YORK -- Mets closer Bobby Parnell has a partially torn elbow ligament after just 25 pitches this season and might need surgery. The injury means 36-year-old Jose Valverde is likely to take over as closer for now in an already thin bullpen. Valverde, a three-time All-Star, has struggled with control in recent years. Parnell gave up Denard Spans tying double in the ninth inning during Mondays opening 9-7 loss to Washington. It was the right-handers first save opportunity since a neck injury that required surgery and sidelined him for the final two months last season. He complained of tightness in his right elbow after Mondays game. The Mets said the 29-year-old was examined Tuesday at the Hospital for Special Surgery, had an MRI and was diagnosed with a partial tear of the right medial collateral ligament. Also Tuesday, injured Mets starter Jonathon Niese pitched five innings in a simulated game at the clubs spring facility in Florida. The left-hander allowed four runs, two earned, and five hits while throwing 76 pitches. Niese was hampered by elbow inflammation in spring training. He could come off the disabled list to start on Sunday against Cincinnati. New York plans to bring up Kyle Farnsworth to take Parnells roster spot before Wednesdays game against the Nationals. Infielder Wilmer Flores also is likely to be recalled from the minors to replace second baseman Daniel Murphy, who would go on paternity leave. Parnell was 5-5 with a 2.16 ERA and 22 saves in 26 chances last year. He averaged 92.1 mph for 20 two-seam fastballs during Mondays outing, according to fangraphs.com, down from 94.9 mph last year and 96 mph in 2012. New York said he received a plasma injection and will rest about two weeks. Parnell then will start a throwing program, and a decision on surgery will be made after that. The Mets already are without sidelined ace Matt Harvey, who is likely to miss the entire season following elbow surgery Oct. 22 on a partial tear of his right ulnar collateral ligament. Several pitchers have torn elbow ligaments this year, including Atlantas Kris Medlen and Brandon Beachy, Arizonas Patrick Corbin, Detroits Bruce Rondon, and Oaklands Jarrod Parker. Braves pitcher Cory Gearrin is being examined for a ligament injury. Valverde has 286 saves in an 11-year big league career with Arizona, Houston and Detroit. He was 0-1 with a 5.59 ERA for Detroit last year, converting nine saves in 12 chances before he was cut from the big league roster in mid-June 21. He then had seven saves with a 4.09 ERA in 11 games at Toledo and was released Aug. 7. He got four straight outs Monday in his Mets debut, striking out Ryan Zimmerman, Jayson Werth and Bryce Harper. . He was set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 5th. The 34-year-old Laval, Que. native has played six seasons with the Penguins. . The Maple Leafs handed their embattled head coach a two-year contract extension on Thursday, while at the same time announcing that assistants Dave Farrish, Greg Cronin and Scott Gordon will not be back. http://www.bengalsauthenticproshop.com/ ... ls-Jersey/. Canadas 5-1 loss to Finland in the semifinal ranks as the tournaments most-watched game with a record 2.7 million viewers, the largest ever for a World Juniors game played outside of North America, and winning Saturday as the most-watched program on Canadian television. . His head snapped back from the impact and hit the floor. The All-Star power forward was all right afterward, a relief for the Minnesota Timberwolves. . A better question yet may be this: How many times has the same player been involved in both? Morneau hit a two-run homer in the 10th inning and helped the Colorado Rockies turn the third triple play in team history as they beat the San Diego Padres 8-6 on Sunday.ARLINGTON, Va. -- Even if Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals have earned a reputation for quick exits, at least theyve been making the playoffs year after year. Thats not a given this time. And the team is well aware of it: Every time players set foot in the practice facility, they come face to face with a display showing where Washington stands. On Thursday, the Capitals had 70 points, good enough only for 11th place in the 16-team Eastern Conference. The top eight teams qualify for the post-season. "Weve got a board in our dressing room here that says the standings. You walk by it six, seven times a day," right wing Troy Brouwer said. "So theres no way to be immune to whats going on." Washington hasnt missed the playoffs since the 2006-07 season, although its never been past the second round in that span. At the moment, the fading Capitals have won only one of their last six games heading into Friday night against the visiting Vancouver Canucks, who are 10th in the West. "The desperate level," Brouwer said, "is getting up there." Washington has 15 games left in the regular season. Its not a particularly easy schedule, either, with 10 games against teams currently in playoff position, including a daunting March 18-22 road trip to Anaheim, Los Angeles and San Jose. "Obviously, were very concerned," coach Adam Oates said. "But the one good thing about hockey is tomorrows another game and you cant get too far ahead or dwell too much on it, because youve got to play tomorrow. Its a must win tomorrow." There have been various problems lately, including poor passing and puck possession, leading to turnovers and a lack of shots on goal. Also glaring: Ovechkins sudden lack of scoring. The three-time NHL MVP and team captain leads the league with 44 goals, but he has been held without a point in each of the last four games, matching his worst drought this season. So whats it going to take to get things turned in the right direction before its too late? "It can be one big hit," saiid Ovechkin, whos been known to dole those out.dddddddddddd "Or it can be one good play and everybody (wakes) up and everybody (plays) much better." In a bid to help the playoff push, general manager George McPhee added goalie Jaroslav Halak and left wing Dustin Penner in separate deals at the trade deadline this month, then finally signed 2010 first-round draft pick Evgeny Kuznetsov. But there hasnt been a payoff yet. Penner was thought to be destined for the top forward line, alongside Ovechkin and centre Nicklas Backstrom. But Oates said Thursday, "I dont think he matches well with them." Asked to elaborate, Oates replied: "Hes not the fastest guy in the world. Hes a puck-possession, battle-along-the-wall guy, and I think (Ovechkin and Backstrom) need a quicker guy." Halak, meanwhile, has made three consecutive starts over Braden Holtby. Oates wouldnt say who would be in net Friday. Holtby said all the right things Thursday, though -- about Halak "giving us a chance to win, whenever he plays"; about how "I want to learn from" Halak; about how theres no rivalry between the pair. Holtby also gave a frank assessment about what Washington needs to do now. "Everyone knows," Holtby said, "that we have to have at least 10 wins, probably, in these last 15 -- or more -- to have a chance." Notes: D Dmitry Orlov signed a $4 million, two-year contract extension. "Good for him," Ovechkin said, "and good for us." Orlov was suspended by the NHL for two games this month after launching into an opponent and drawing a major penalty that helped the Flyers rally for a 5-4 overtime victory. ... C Brooks Laich, who missed two of the last four games with a groin injury, saw a doctor and will be monitored day by day, according to Oates. Its possible Laich will play Friday. ... C Mikhail Grabovski skated before Thursdays practice as he deals with a left ankle injury. "Until he can practice with us, I think hes a ways away," Oates said. ' ' '