PORT ST. LUCIE — The Mets released popular infielder Jose Valentin and two other veterans from their minor-league system today in a move that likely will end Valentin’s playing career. Also let go were right-hander Tony Armas Jr. and journeyman infielder Junior Spivey.

The Mets had reassigned Valentin to Triple-A Buffalo earlier this month, but Valentin told the team he didn’t feel like playing there at age 39. He could rejoin the club in a coaching capacity on the minor-league level at some point.

The Mets, meanwhile, felt Armas and Spivey could not help them even in the minors. Spivey, out of baseball since 2005, had recently signed a minor-league deal as he tries to recover from a series of financial woes.