Mets release Farnsworth, could re-sign him

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- After informing reliever Kyle Farnsworth that he did not pitch well enough this spring to make the Opening Day roster, the Mets on Sunday granted him his release with the intention of possibly re-signing him.

Farnsworth, 37, posted a 5.63 ERA in eight Grapefruit League innings, striking out four and walking four. Opposing batters hit .313 off Farnsworth, who owns 54 career saves with the Cubs, Tigers, Braves, Yankees, Royals, Rays and Pirates. The Mets originally signed him on an unguaranteed Minor League deal.

General manager Sandy Alderson said the Mets released Farnsworth with the intention of re-signing him, but are unsure if he will draw any interest from other teams. Because Farnsworth is now technically a free agent, he can sign elsewhere without penalty. The Mets released him only because under the terms of his contract, they would have needed to add him to their 40-man roster or pay him a $100,000 retention bonus to keep him in camp.

Even if he does re-sign, Farnsworth is extremely unlikely to make the Mets' Opening Day roster; now that he is out of the picture, the team is all but certain to carry Jose Valverde in the bullpen as a veteran right-handed reliever with ninth-inning experience. Bobby Parnell will serve as the Mets' regular closer, with Valverde, Jeurys Familia and Vic Black all vying for late-inning roles. The Mets will also carry Carlos Torres and Scott Rice, and are likely to round out their bullpen with veteran left-hander John Lannan.