NEW YORK -- As Mets officials suspected, reliever Hansel Robles did not last long on the waiver wire.
The Angels announced Saturday that they claimed Robles off waivers, a day after the Mets designated him for assignment. Los Angeles subsequently optioned Robles to Triple-A Salt Lake.
Posting a 5.03 ERA this season, Robles became a victim of the Mets' roster crunch when they needed to clear two 40-man spots for call-ups Kevin Kaczmarski and Drew Smith. Although Robles still possesses a dynamic right arm capable of throwing in the mid-90s, he served up 32 home runs in 208 career innings with the Mets.
New York had other options to clear roster space, but chose to part ways with Robles even knowing there was a high likelihood he would be claimed.
"You kept on seeing the same thing," manager Mickey Callaway said. "The adjustments that he probably needed to make to be that consistent guy that was going to be able to get consistent outs was looking more and more difficult. It looked like it wasn't going to happen for us. He went out there, he attacked, probably did the best he could and the results just weren't coming."
Draft signings
The Mets announced another wave of Draft signings, inking fourth-round pick Adam Hill, fifth-rounder Ryley Gilliam and 14th-rounder Andrew Mitchell to their first professional contracts. The Mets have now signed 23 of their 40 selections, including 14 of their top 17 picks.
First-rounder Jarred Kelenic is scheduled to take batting practice at Citi Field on Wednesday. He made his professional debut Saturday for the Rookie-level Gulf Coast Mets, going 3-for-4 with a triple, an RBI and two runs scored.