The Mets added some needed left-handed depth to their bullpen on Thursday by signing Luis Avilan to a Minor League contract that includes a Spring Training invite.
Avilan has posted a 3.09 ERA over 399 appearances, the most recent of which were tallied during last year's late-season stint with the Phillies. The 29-year-old southpaw and Daniel Zamora stand as the top left-handed candidates to open the 2019 season in the Mets' bullpen.
"Luis is a left-handed quality Major League reliever who addresses another offseason priority," Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen said. "We are pleased to see these types of proven players want to be a part of what we are trying to build."
Avilan debuted with the Braves in 2012, and he stayed with Atlanta until he was traded to the Dodgers during the '15 season. The Venezuelan reliever was sent to the White Sox via a three-team trade that was completed just before the start of last season. He ended '18 with the Phillies, who opted to not tender him a contract in November.
Avilan posted a 3.35 ERA across 91 1/3 innings over the past two seasons. He limited left-handed batters to a .220 (18-for-82) batting average last year, slightly higher than the .213 average he has yielded to lefties over the course of his career.