Promotion of Torres paying dividends for Mets

ATLANTA -- The Mets moved small mountains to promote Carlos Torres from Triple-A Las Vegas last week, designating pitcher Collin McHugh for assignment -- a transaction that ultimately resulted in the trade for Eric Young Jr. -- and optioning Greg Burke to the Minors.

So far, Torres is proving why, living up to the glowing scouting reports from Vegas. Striking out four over 2 1/3 shutout innings of relief on Wednesday, Torres extended his scoreless streak to 4 1/3 innings since joining the Mets, with five strikeouts and one walk.

"I'm just trying to do my job to help out this team -- throw strikes, try to get out of jams, whatever [manager Terry Collins] needs," Torres said. "I feel like some of my pitches have gotten better. My cutter is a little sharper, my curveball has a little more depth. So it seems like my stuff has gotten a little sharper. I just need to keep working on it."

One benefit Torres gives the Mets is his ability to pitch multiple innings as a true long man, though Collins has not decided how the former starter best fits into his bullpen mix.