Verrett joins Mets to provide bullpen depth

TORONTO -- Typically when a player comes up from the Minors -- especially to a team such as the Mets, which has already debuted eight rookies this year -- he spends his first day exchanging hugs and handshakes with old friends from the farm. And Logan Verrett did that Thursday.

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But for Verrett, the homecoming was a longer time coming. Because after the Orioles selected him from the Mets in the Rule 5 Draft last December, Verrett was claimed off waivers by the Rangers and spent Spring Training at their camp. By the time he was returned to the Mets' organization last month, reporting initially to Triple-A Las Vegas, most of his contemporaries were already in New York. It had been months and months since he'd shared a clubhouse with them.

"It's a bit of a reunion with some of the guys," Verrett said before tossing two perfect innings while striking out four in the Mets' 7-1 loss to the Blue Jays.

The Mets called Verrett up after Wednesday's game to replace Akeel Morris, who gave up five runs in his Major League debut. Like Morris, Verrett should be only a temporary addition to the bullpen, set to go back down to Vegas within a few days. The Mets are currently playing with a four-man bench, which should change when Daniel Murphy returns from the disabled list early next week.

But the Mets feel that Verrett, who posted a 3.00 ERA over 30 innings at Las Vegas, can help them in the short term.

"I know he throws strikes and that's been the key," Mets manager Terry Collins said. "This guy knows how to pitch. He knows how to use his stuff. He's got an outstanding breaking ball. We're hoping that he gives us a right-hander down there who will throw the ball over the plate. If somebody needs a day off or we're getting deep in a game and we need someone who can give us multiple innings, he's the perfect guy."