Mets release pitcher Oliver Perez

The New York Mets released pitcher Oliver Perez on Monday, two days after the left-hander allowed consecutive home runs to minor leaguers.

The Mets chose to absorb the $12 million remaining on Perez's $36 million, three-year contract rather than keep a pitcher who has been ineffective in trying to make the team as a reliever.

Perez's release came three days after the team cut Luis Castillo, who was signed Monday by the Philadelphia Phillies.

Perez had a spring training ERA of 8.38 in 9 2-3 innings.

"I think it was additional evidence that from his standpoint the velocity was not there, the command was not there," Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said, referring to Saturday's outing. "It wasn't going to work in a starting role. It didn't appear as if it were going to work in a relief role at least any time soon. We are getting down toward the end of spring training so we felt it was time to make a decision."

Perez said he wasn't surprised by the decision when he was called into a meeting with Alderson and manager Terry Collins.

"When they told me, I almost knew they were going to tell me," Perez said. "It's one of those times I don't feel great, but I'm not going to quit. I think I've got more (to my) career, and I'm going to hope (for) the best."

The pitcher's effectiveness slowly diminished after a 15-win 2007 season, and his velocity has been down since undergoing right knee surgery in 2009. Perez was 1-6 in seven starts to begin last season before being moved to the bullpen. He went on the disabled list with patella tendinitis in his right knee on June 5 and made just six appearances the rest of the season.


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