Putz-ed Out?

It looks like New York Mets set-up man J.J. Putz could already be on the outs. During Sunday’s game, Putz was struggling again and was in danger of blowing the Mets 3-1 lead. Who got the call? Youngster Bobby Parnell. A guy whom I talked about just a few weeks ago, saying Parnell could be the future of the Mets bullpen.

The question is if this is a one time thing or something permanent?

“Health-wise, he’s (Putz) fine. He’s pushing the ball right now, his delivery is off. A little rhythm. He’s getting a little too much movement in his back leg,” Pitching Coach Dan Warthen said. “That’s easily fixed.”

From the sounds of that it sounds like this was purely a one game thing. But one has to wonder if it will continue to happen. Putz has been pretty bad this year, despite what his 3.81 era will tell you. The problem is his control, actually his lack thereof.

Putz has already walked 18 batters in just 28 and a third innings. Last season he walked 28 in 46 innings, not great but he at least struck out 56 batters. This season he’s only struck out 19, so he’s virtually on a one for one ratio right now. Not something you want out of a set-up man on a playoff contender.

Parnell on the other hand has been brilliant, even more when you consider he’s only 24. He’s sporting a 2.11 era with 9 walks and 19 strikeouts over 21 and a third innings pitched.

“That’s what we liked about him last year when he came up,” pitching coach Dan Warthen said of Parnell. “It didn’t matter what happened. He just came out, threw the baseball across the plate, trusts his stuff, didn’t get too high or too low. That’s what you love about Bobby. One emotion all the time. Studies the game, enjoys the game, realizes he has pretty good stuff.”

That is what you like to hear when it comes to your late inning pitchers. One emotion and just throw strikes. This kid’s got a bright future and because of that Putz better watch out. His job could be gone before he knows it.

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Tags: Bobby Parnell, JJ Putz, MLB, New York Mets