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New Tiger Parnell hopeful of return to form

Lakeland, Fla. — The Tigers are hoping to catch lightning in a bottle with right-hander Bobby Parnell. Lightning as in the 100-plus mph fastball he featured with the Mets prior to Tommy John surgery in 2014.

“A lot of times with Tommy John surgeries, there is a delay before the real pitcher emerges again,” manager Brad Ausmus said. “That’s kind of what we are hoping for.”

The Tigers signed Parnell, who was closing games for the Mets in 2012 and 2013, to a minor league contract Thursday and invited him to big league camp.

“I hope that’s true,” Parnell said of the delayed response to the surgery.