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The New York Mets promoted reliever Ricky Bottalico from Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday and designated pitcher Grant Roberts for assignment.
Bottalico, a 34-year-old righty with extensive major league appearance, joined the Mets in time for their game against the San Francisco Giants. He was 0-0 with an 0.00 ERA in 7 1-3 innings for Norfolk.
Roberts came to spring training competing for the No. 5 spot in the rotation. A prospect for several years despite injuries, the 26-year-old righty pitched well in the early part of camp before struggling.
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Rookie Tyler Yates eventually won the fifth spot, and Roberts began the season
in the bullpen. He pitched in four games, giving up nine earned runs in 4 2-3
innings, going 0-0 with a 17.36 ERA.
The Mets have 10 days to trade Roberts, release him or send him outright to the minors.
General manager Jim Duquette said he's made a few phone calls about Roberts, but said he'd prefer the pitcher go to Norfolk. Roberts would have to clear waivers to be assigned outright to the minors.
Roberts was 0-3 with one save and a 3.79 ERA in 18 games last season for the Mets, all in relief. He was sidelined for most of the season because of tendinitis in his right shoulder.
Bottalico was released
at the end of spring training by the Mets and re-signed to a minor league contract
by New York on April 18. He spent most of last season in the minors in the Arizona
system, and went 1-0 with a 5.40 ERA in two games for the Diamondbacks.
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