NEW YORK -- Mets closer Bobby Parnell has a partially torn elbow ligament after just 25 pitches this season and might need surgery. Cheap Jerseys China . 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. Cheap Jerseys Authentic . - Nicklas Backstrom scored the winning goal in the shootout to lead the Washington Capitals to their first win in San Jose in more than 20 years, 3-2 over the Sharks on Saturday night. Cheap Jerseys Free Shipping . - Chicago Bears general manager Phil Emery was so busy in free agency he didnt mind having a few extra weeks to prepare for the draft. DENVER -- Phil Kessel keeps scoring and the Toronto Maple Leafs keep on winning. That four-game skid in early January seems as if its a long time ago. Kessel scored twice, James van Riemsdyk had a goal and an assist and the Maple Leafs beat the Colorado Avalanche 5-2 on Tuesday night for their sixth straight win. Nazem Kadri also scored and James Reimer stopped 35 shots for Toronto. Kessel has been one of the hottest players in the league over the past 12 days, and it came at the right time for his team. The Maple Leafs were struggling when Kessel started scoring. He has six goals and eight assists during Torontos winning streak. "With Phil, if he continues to get chances, hes got a history behind him and he knows how to score goals," Toronto coach Randy Carlyle said. The Maple Leafs are on their longest winning streak in eight years after losing four in a row. Toronto has climbed to fourth in the Eastern Conference during its win streak. The previous time Toronto won six straight was Dec. 23, 2005-Jan. 2, 2006. "Theres a lot more life in the room," defenceman Dion Phaneuf said. "Weve got a confidence in our dressing room that we feel good about ourselves." Kessel was playing for the University of Minnesota during Torontos previous six-game winning streak, but now hes leading the way for the Leafs ahead of the Sochi Olympics next month, where he will be part of Team USA once again. "Were winning, thats the most important thing," Kessel said. Rookie Nathan MacKinnon scored two goals for the Avalanche, and Jean-Sebastien Giguere had 19 saves in relief of Semyon Varlamov. "We lost the game in the second period," MacKinnon said. "Their goalie made some good saves for them. Weve been playing well of late, but we cant let this game get us down too much." Colorado generated more early chances but Toronto scored first. Phaneuf sent a puck from his own end off the backboards and Kessel, who got behind the Avalanche defence, put a soft shot past Varlamov 3:56 iinto the game. Cheap Jerseys For Sale. "Dion made a good play, I kind of whiffed on it but it went in," Kessel said. The Avalanche failed to capitalize on two early power plays, and the Maple Leafs made it 2-0 on their first try on van Riemsdyks 20th goal at 17:41. Kadri redirected Jake Gardiners shot from the point 2:55 into the second period, giving Toronto a 3-0 lead and chasing Varlamov. Varlamov allowed three goals on 10 shots. "I think Varly was just a bit tired," Avalanche coach Patrick Roy said. "I almost took him out after the first period. I didnt see in him the same energy that hes shown since the start of the year. When he gave up that third goal theres no need to push that." Giguere came in and Kessel made it 4-0 with his second of the night and team-leading 26th of the season. He nearly had his second hat trick of the season, but was denied by Jean-Sebastien Giguere in the third. Kessel finished with eight shots on goal. "I had a bunch tonight," Kessel said. "I missed some good chances." Giguere settled down, and the Avalanche finally got on the board when MacKinnon scored on a 2-on-1 break with P.A. Parenteau at 18:35 of the second period. Colorado turned up the pressure in the third and scored again on MacKinnons high wrist shot at 5:07. It was his 17th goal of the season. Colorado pulled Giguere for an extra skater with 2:56 remaining, but Jay McClement scored into the empty net to seal the win. "We played a decent enough of a hockey game to give ourselves a chance," Carlyle said. "The home teams going to come with a push and we withstood that." NOTES: Toronto RW Joffrey Lupul had two assists. ... Kessel extended his point streak to seven games. ... The Avalanche honoured referee Brad Watson before the game. Watson was officiating in his 1,000th NHL game. ... Colorado activated Parenteau and D Nate Guenin from the injured list. Parenteau missed 10 games with a sprained left knee and Guenin was out for seven games with an ankle injury. Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys China Cheap MLS Soccer Jerseys ' ' '
