Frank Francisco (elbow) threw live batting practice for the first time Saturday.

The 33-year-old reported that he felt sore after the outing. He'll likely accelerate his throwing program going forward, but with Opening Day just over a week away it's highly unlikely he's going to be ready. When he does return, he'll have to wrestle the closer role away from Bobby Parnell to have any fantasy value this season.

Frank Francisco (elbow) will throw live batting practice Sunday.

Frank Francisco (elbow) threw a bullpen session Saturday.

Francisco is scheduled for two more bullpen sessions before being cleared to throw live batting practice. He remains questionable to be ready for Opening Day. Bobby Parnell will serve as the Mets' closer until Francisco is ready to return.

Frank Francisco (elbow) threw off a bullpen mound for the second time on Wednesday and felt fine.

Francisco told reporters, however, that he is not ready to resume appearing in Grapefruit League games and motioned to Bobby Parnell's locker before uttering "he is the closer." That's pretty clear at this point.

Frank Francisco (elbow) will throw off a mound for the first time this weekend.

Francisco resumed a throwing program last week and is working his way back from some elbow inflammation early in camp. While there's still time for him to be ready for Opening Day, the Mets expect him to begin the season on the disabled list. Bobby Parnell will handle closer duties until Francisco is ready to return.

Frank Francisco (elbow) aims to throw from a mound Saturday for the first time this spring.

Francisco resumed throwing last week after dealing with some elbow inflammation early in camp. He was long-tossing at a distance of 130 feet on Thursday, so it appears he is making progress. Still, Mets manager Terry Collins expects him to begin the season on the disabled list, which means Bobby Parnell will get the early save chances.

Mets manager Terry Collins said on WFAN on Friday that he doesn't expect Frank Francisco (elbow) to be ready for Opening Day.

Francisco just resumed throwing on Monday after dealing with some elbow inflammation early in camp. There's still time for him to be ready for Opening Day, but Collins is moving forward as if he won't be available. Assuming Collins is correct, Bobby Parnell will open the season as the closer.

Frank Francisco (elbow) played catch from 60 feet Monday.

He didn't have any apparent issues with his balky elbow. Francisco is a bit behind the other pitchers in Mets' camp due to inflammation in his throwing elbow, but he still has enough time to get ready for the season. He should open the year as the team's closer if he's healthy.

Frank Francisco (elbow) is expected to play catch on Monday.

This echoes what Mets pitching coach Dan Warthen said on Wednesday. Francisco is a bit behind the other pitchers in camp due to inflammation in his throwing elbow, but he still has enough time to get ready for the season. If he suffers any setbacks, Bobby Parnell will open the season as the closer.

Mets pitching coach Dan Warthen said that Monday is the target day for Frank Francisco (elbow) to begin throwing.

Francisco had surgery in December to remove a bone spur from his elbow and is currently behind the other pitchers in camp because of inflammation. Warthen said there's "no guarantee" that he'll be ready to throw Monday, so the Mets could give him some extra time if he's still dealing with discomfort. For now, the Mets are moving ahead as if Bobby Parnell will open the season as the closer.

Mets manager Terry Collins said Wednesday that Frank Francisco (elbow) might not be ready to throw a baseball for another two weeks.

Francisco had surgery in December to remove a bone spur from his elbow and is still dealing with inflammation. Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said Wednesday that personal issues, including deaths in the family, have also hindered Francisco's rehab in recent weeks. Assuming Francisco isn't ready for the season, Bobby Parnell will serve as the closer.

Frank Francisco is currently shut down due to inflammation in his right elbow.

Francisco had surgery in December to remove a bone spur from his right elbow and isn't back to 100 percent. In fact, when asked Tuesday how close he was to 100 percent, Francisco playfully responded with "zero." This situation should be monitored carefully this spring, as either Bobby Parnell or Brandon Lyon could emerge as an alternative in the closer role.

Mets manager Terry Collins insisted Wednesday night that Frank Francisco will serve as the Mets' closer.

Mets GM Sandy Alderson left the door open for Bobby Parnell when asked about the ninth-inning job earlier this week. But it's a decision that ultimately comes down to Collins, and he seems to have faith in Francisco -- at least, for now. "He is the closer," Collins told columnist Kevin Kernan of the New York Post.

Mets general manager Sandy Alderson has declined to commit to Frank Francisco as the team's closer.

Francisco had an ugly 5.53 ERA last season and is coming off surgery to remove a bone spur from his right elbow, so he'll have to earn the job. "I think a lot will depend on what we see over the course of February and into March," said Alderson. "I think that's something that will be determined in the course of spring training. Health is an issue. Performance is an issue." Francisco is owed $6.5 million in 2013, so he's certainly being paid like a closer, but both Brandon Lyon and Bobby Parnell could be threats for the job.

Frank Francisco underwent surgery Tuesday to remove a bone spur from his right elbow.

Francisco dealt with elbow issues in September, but obviously it took the Mets a while to realize the seriousness of the ailment. The good news is that he'll be allowed to begin throwing in six weeks, so he should be OK for the start of spring training. Francisco is expected to begin 2013 as the Mets' closer, but he's a good bet to be unseated by Bobby Parnell.

Adam Rubin of ESPN New York was told by a Mets spokesman that Frank Francisco is dealing with elbow tendinitis.

A report on MLB Network states that Francisco is likely to miss the entire 2013 season, but that appears to be erroneous. The veteran right-hander doesn't have any structural damage in the elbow, but the Mets may shut him down as a precaution, as he is still owed $6.5 million next year.

Frank Francisco (elbow) was unable to play catch Tuesday and is likely to be shut down.

The Mets won't confirm Francisco's shutdown, but they're simply running out of games at this point. The righty doesn't have any structural issues, so it doesn't appear that surgery is on the table. Jon Rauch will continue to handle save chances for the Mets down the stretch.

The Mets aren't ready to shut Frank Francisco (elbow) down for the season.

Francisco hasn't pitched since September 16 due to tendinitis in his right elbow. He's not dealing with any structural issues, so it's just a matter of the pain subsiding. Jon Rauch is probably the best bet for saves in his absence.

Frank Francisco (elbow) could be shut down for the season.

Francisco had a setback with his right elbow Saturday and won't be available for several more days, at least. He doesn't have structural damage in the elbow, but the Mets have little to gain by bringing him back this season. Jon Rauch will continue to serve as the closer.

Frank Francisco will remain unavailable Sunday after his right elbow flared up on him Saturday.

Mets manager Terry Collins said before the game that Francisco would be available, but that was clearly before he knew about the setback. "I'm going to say from what he told me today, I doubt we have him (Sunday)," Collins said. "I'm not the doctors but he was pretty sore today and said he could not throw today." It wouldn't be a surprise if the Mets just decide to shut Francisco down at this point. Jon Rauch earned the save Saturday and appears to be the preferred option over Bobby Parnell while Francisco is on the shelf.