WHEW, JENRRY!

Mejia has inflammation, but no tears in elbow

WASHINGTON— There was relief for the Mets on Tuesday, and then a decision to add evenmore.

Tests performed on Jenrry Mejia at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan indicated no structural damage to the closer’s right elbow, but the team announced it will place Mejia on the disabled list, retroactive to April 5, with posterior inflammation in the joint.

Mejia, who received a cortisone shot, would have been unavailable to pitch for 10 days, according to the club. Erik Goeddel, who had a solid Grapefruit League for the Mets, will be recalled from Triple A Las Vegas to take Mejia’s spot in the bullpen.

But the Mets can exhale, at least for now, that Mejia’s MRI exam did not show a tear in the elbow.

Mejia underwent Tommy John surgery in 2011 and was hesitant about shifting to the bullpen last year in part because he was concerned about the potential wear and tear on his elbow from getting up and down frequently and pitching on consecutive days.

After Mejia experienced tightness in the elbow warming up in the bullpen during Monday’s 31 victory over the Nationals in the season opener, manager Terry Collins went to Jerry Blevins and Buddy Carlyle for the final three outs.

But with Mejia on the DL, the club will look to Jeurys Familia in the closer’s role and test rookie Rafael Montero in highleverage situations in the setup role. Carlos Torres will likely replace Familia in the eighth inning.

The Mets bullpen has been in flux since the start of spring training, so the latest shakeup is nothing new. The first domino fell when lefty Josh Edgin had ligament weakness in his elbow and underwent Tommy John surgery.

Vic Black had shoulder discomfort midway through camp and didn’t reappear on the mound until last week, when he began pitching in minor league exhibition games. It is unclear when the righthander will join the club, but general manager Sandy Alderson indicated it won’t be in Atlanta this weekend, when Black is eligible to come off the DL.

The Mets are also waiting on Bobby Parnell, who is completing his rehab from Tommy John surgery and could be in position to rejoin the club within two or three weeks.

With lefty relief an issue, the Mets last week traded for Blevins and Alex Torres and kept Rule 5 pick Sean Gilmartin for the Opening Day roster. The Mets broke camp with eight relievers, mainly as protection against a rotation that hasn’t built up enough pitch count. Team officials have little concern about Familia handling the closer’s role. Last year, the righthander was the Mets’ best reliever and posted a 2.21 ERA in 76 appearances. Familia had a rough stretch toward the end of spring training, but rebounded to pitch a perfect eighth inning against the Nationals on Monday, inwhich he struck out two. Mejia, for all his upside, has battled numerous physical setbacks during his tenure with the club, which began in 2010.

In addition to the Tommy John surgery, Mejia had a bone spur removed from his right elbow near the end of the 2013 season. And last year, he pitched much of the second half with a sports hernia, which was repaired after the season.

Goeddel, who was a September callup last season, made 12 appearances for the Mets in spring training this year and posted a 3.86 ERA in 12 appearances.