Frank Francisco (elbow) has resumed throwing off a mound.

The Mets still don't have a timetable for his return, but Francisco could begin pitching in rehab games by next week. Francisco has been out all season due to a flexor strain in his right elbow.

Frank Francisco (elbow) remains on a long-toss program.

Francisco has been out all season with elbow issues and was diagnosed with a mild strain of his mild strain of his flexor pronator last month. While the Mets are optimistic they'll get something out of him this season, there's no timetable for his return. "Do I think he's going to throw for us again this year?" said Mets general manager Sandy Alderson. "Yes, I do. But I'm not sure exactly when."

Mets transferred RHP Frank Francisco from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list.

It's a procedural move to clear a 40-man roster spot for infielder Omar Quintanilla. Francisco recently resumed throwing but remains out indefinitely with elbow pain.

Frank Francisco (elbow) has resumed throwing.

Francisco was diagnosed with a mild strain of the flexor pronator in his right elbow last week, but he's already back at it. However, it's not clear if he's throwing from a mound or simply playing catch or long-tossing. Either way, he's not close to rejoining the Mets' bullpen.

Frank Francisco has been diagnosed with a mild strain of the flexor pronator in his right elbow.

Francisco will rest for 72 hours before trying to throw again. The reliever was pulled from his minor league rehab assignment over the weekend due to soreness, but he's avoided a serious setback.

Frank Francisco wasn't found to have any structural damage in his surgically-repaired right elbow.

Francisco was pulled from his minor league rehab assignment over the weekend due to soreness, but it's not a major concern. He'll rest for a couple of days before he resumes throwing. However, it's not clear when he'll be ready to return to game action.

Frank Francisco will visit the doctor after feeling soreness in his surgically-repaired right elbow Saturday.

Francisco had been pitching well during his rehab assignment and was in line to be activated soon, but obviously that's not going to happen now. The Mets will reveal a revised plan for the reliever once the results of the exam are known.

Frank Francisco (elbow) will continue his rehab assignment Saturday with Double-A Binghamton.

Francisco hasn't allowed a run in five appearances with High-A St. Lucie, but he'll need to pitch against more advanced competition before being activated from the DL. Assuming he doesn't have any setbacks, he could rejoin the Mets in a setup role by early next week.

Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said Thursday that Frank Francisco (elbow) will remain on his minor league rehab assignment for now.

Francisco hasn't allowed a run in five appearances with High-A St. Lucie, but the Mets want him to pitch against more advanced competition before being activated. He'll help set up for closer Bobby Parnell once's he's deemed ready.

Frank Francisco (elbow) threw another scoreless inning Wednesday in his latest rehab appearance with High-A St. Lucie.

Francisco walked two and struck out two. The veteran reliever has allowed one hit and struck out six over five scoreless innings during his rehab assignment. He could be cleared to join the Mets' bullpen at any time, though he's expected to set-up for Bobby Parnell upon his return.

Frank Francisco (elbow) tossed another scoreless inning in a rehab appearance with High-A St. Lucie on Monday.

Francisco has now cleared a significant hurdle, appearing in back-to-back games for the first time on his rehab. He will make at least one more rehab appearance, this time at a higher level, but he's close to rejoining the Mets' bullpen. Manager Terry Collins reiterated that Bobby Parnell will remain the team's closer after Francisco's activation, at least for now. "The one thing I don't think we're ready to do is start to juggle our bullpen at this particular moment when Bobby has done such a good job," Collins said. "We'll wait until Frankie gets here to make those determinations."

Frank Francisco (elbow) threw a scoreless inning of relief on Sunday afternoon with High-A St. Lucie.

Francisco struck out two batters in what his his third rehab appearance. Adam Rubin of ESPN New York says the veteran right-hander was hitting 93-94 mph with his fastball, which is pretty good. If all continues to go well, Francisco could be back in a couple weeks.

Frank Francisco (elbow) threw 15 pitches in an intrasquad game on Monday.

Francisco didn't feel 100 percent during a 25-pitch bullpen session on Saturday, but it's a good sign that he was able to throw again two days later. He had been slated to begin a rehab assignment later this week, but it's unclear if that will still happen.

Mets manager Terry Collins said Frank Francisco (elbow) felt "OK" but "not great" during a 25-pitch bullpen session on Saturday.

Doctors have re-examined Francisco and found no structural damage in his right elbow, which he had surgery-repaired over the winter to remove a bone spur. Francisco had been slated to resume his rehab assignment next week, but it appears unlikely that that will happen now. He should be considered out indefinitely.

Frank Francisco (elbow) will resume his minor league rehab assignment with High-A St. Lucie next week.

Francisco is 10 days into his rehab assignment, but has been limited to throwing in extended spring games. Mets pitching coach Dan Warthen said Francisco's velocity is "creeping up" and he now has enough arm strength to throw an effective splitter. Francisco remains without an exact timetable to return from the DL, but he should be back no later than May 17.

Frank Francisco (elbow) is set to begin a minor league rehab assignment Wednesday at High-A St. Lucie.

Francisco should be ready to join the Mets in about a week. The right-hander has been out all season with inflammation in his pitching elbow and will function as a setup man behind closer Bobby Parnell once he returns.

Frank Francisco (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment on Tuesday at High-A St. Lucie.

Francisco experienced inflammation in his pitching elbow related to last December's surgery to remove a bone spur. He's obviously feeling much better, though, and shouldn't need too much time before rejoin the Mets' bullpen. Bobby Parnell is expected to remain the team's closer after Francisco returns.

Mets manager Terry Collins hopes that Frank Francisco (elbow) will be able to pitch in a game this week.

Francisco, currently on the disabled list with elbow inflammation, threw one inning in a simulated game last week. While he's making progress, it's not clear when he'll be ready for an official minor league rehab assignment. Bobby Parnell has begun the season as the Mets' closer and Francisco's eventual return should do little to change that.

Frank Francisco (elbow) threw an inning in a simulated game Tuesday in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

Francisco dealt with elbow issues during camp and only recently started to throwing to hitters. It's not clear when he'll be ready for an official minor league rehab assignment. Bobby Parnell will open the season as the closer and figures to keep the job even after Francisco returns.

Mets placed RHP Frank Francisco on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to March 22, with elbow inflammation.

Francisco is still struggling to throw pain-free bullpen sessions and might not be ready to return when first eligible. Bobby Parnell will handle save chances.