Former Mets hurler Gee hits free agency

NEW YORK -- As the Mets prepared for their National League Division Series matchup against the Dodgers this week (Game 1, Friday, 9:30 p.m. ET, TBS), one of their longest-tenured members quietly became a free agent. Dillon Gee elected free agency after six seasons in New York, each of them seemingly rockier than the one prior.

Gee endured trade rumors all winter, only to report to camp as a member of the bullpen. The Mets told Gee that he would rejoin the rotation after Zack Wheeler underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery, then nearly changed their minds and carried Rafael Montero instead.

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Gee wound up being healthy and productive for five starts this season, before landing on the disabled list with a groin injury. The Mets asked him to make an extra rehab start after he was healthy, delaying his call back up while they figured out the specifics of their first attempt at a six-man rotation. When Gee finally did return, he struggled, posting a 12.54 ERA in three outings bouncing between the rotation and the bullpen.

The Mets ultimately designated Gee for assignment in mid-June, giving away his uniform number two days later. He played out the year at Triple-A Las Vegas, and was not invited back to New York as a September callup.

Overall in six seasons with the Mets, Gee was 40-37 with a 4.03 ERA.