NEW YORK - New York Mets closer Bobby Parnell has decided to proceed with Tommy John surgery and will miss the remainder of the 2014 season. Team doctor David Atlchek is scheduled to perform the procedure Tuesday at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan.

Parnell was diagnosed Tuesday with a partial tear of the medial collateral ligament in his right elbow, a day after suffering a blown save in the season opener.

Bobby Parnell becomes the third Mets pitcher to be ruled out for all of 2014. Christopher Pasatieri/Getty Images

General manager Sandy Alderson indicated at the time that the tear was in a thick part of the ligament. Alderson added that Parnell first intended to rest for two weeks and then attempt a throwing program that might last for another month to determine the need for surgery.

However, Parnell ultimately decided to have the surgery without first attempting the rehab. He reasoned that Tommy John surgery requires a 10-to-14-month recovery time, and he wanted to avoid impacting his availability for 2015.

Foreshadowing that decision, Parnell had said Thursday: "I want to make sure if I do have surgery I give myself the best bet to get back for next year and have the recovery time."

Although not unexpected, Parnell's loss for the season is a big blow to the Mets.

Jose Valverde already has stepped into the closer's role.

Parnell missed the final two months of last season with a herniated disk in his neck, which ultimately required Sept. 10 surgery. Before that, he converted 22 of 26 saves in 2013 for the Mets.

Parnell is one of three Mets pitchers who will miss all or a substantial part of 2014 rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. Starting pitchers Matt Harvey and Jeremy Hefner both underwent the procedure late last year.