Jenrry Mejia

Jenrry Mejia is getting an MRI.

(AP Photo | Jeff Roberson)

WASHINGTON — Jenrry Mejia will return to New York this morning undergo an MRI on his irksome right elbow. He could not close Monday's Mets win over the Nationals after feeling pain and stiffness while warming up in the bullpen.

While the Mets await the results, general manager Sandy Alderson has already said he is "somewhat concerned."

"We're wearing out that MRI machine," Alderson said.

"And paying for it."

If Mejia does have to miss time, then it's likely that Jeurys Familia steps into the closer's role. Carlos Torres would become the eighth-inning set-up man, while Rafael Montero would draw a bigger role in the bullpen, likely pitching the seventh.

"We gotta consider Rafael in a different spot now," manager Terry Collins said. "He's got too good an arm to sit down there. We're going to have to take a look and see if we close with Familia. Maybe Raffy has got to pitch the seventh and he can back up Carlos."

The Mets will not rush Bobby Parnell back and maintain that his timetable to return is still sometime in mid-to-late April. Vic Black is also not likely to be ready to come off the disabled list.

The Mets will probably keep their bullpen at eight relievers still. Which means that they could bring up one of the pitchers who was one of the last cuts in spring, perhaps Zach Thornton or Erik Goeddel.

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Mike Vorkunov may be reached at mvorkunov@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @Mike_Vorkunov. Find NJ.com Mets on Facebook.