Morris sent to Double-A as Mets call up Verrett

TORONTO -- In a way, the roster move the Mets made after Wednesday's 8-0 loss to the Blue Jays was a demotion for Akeel Morris. In another way, it was a promotion.

After Morris gave up three hits, three walks and five runs to the Blue Jays in his big league debut, becoming the 12th U.S. Virgin Islands native to pitch in the Majors, the Mets optioned the right-hander to Double-A Binghamton. That's two steps lower than the big leagues, but a step above Class A Advanced St. Lucie, where the club's No. 19 prospect was playing before the Mets summoned him last week.

"I just said, 'Get 'em next time,'" Mets manager Terry Collins said. "And there will be a next time. He's got great stuff."

To replace Morris on the roster, the Mets selected the contract of right-handed reliever Logan Verrett, their third-round pick in the 2011 Draft. Verrett, 24, was a 2014 Rule 5 Draft pick of the Orioles and was then claimed off waivers by the Rangers, who returned him to the Mets in May. He reported to Triple-A Las Vegas at that time, posting a 3.00 ERA in four starts and seven relief appearances.

"He's a strike-thrower," Collins said. "He's got a swing-and-miss slider. I kind of like the fact that he had a little big league time, so it won't be different for him. He's been here. He knows what it's about. He's been in our camp. He knows everybody in our clubhouse. So it's a nice fit."

The Mets figure to carry an extra reliever at least until infielder Daniel Murphy returns from the disabled list early next week.