Tim Peterson, optioned to the Mets’ minor league camp on Friday, appears to have a spot in the major league bullpen by Tuesday.

The battle for the last reliever spot, barring a last-minute trade or claim, appears to have gone to Peterson after the Rangers claimed Rule 5 pick Kyle Dowdy.

Peterson, a 28-year-old righty, had appeared to lose the spring competition, but then was back in a Grapefruit League game Sunday and told he still had a shot. He put up a 4.35 ERA in 10 appearances in camp, but was not scored upon in eight of those. He appeared in 22 games last season for the Mets, finishing with a 6.18 ERA.

Dowdy, a righty with a strong arm but raw stuff, will have to be kept on Texas’ roster all season or be returned to Cleveland, from where the Mets plucked him.