On the same day they had representatives in Japan to meet 18-year-old pitching sensation Yusei Kikuchi, the Mets released veteran Japanese reliever Ken Takahashi.

Takahashi, 40, had been signed late in spring training after his release by the Blue Jays. The left-hander, who also spent time at AAA Buffalo, was 0-1 with a 2.86 ERA in 28 appearances for the Mets.

The move leaves the Mets with 39 players on their 40-man roster. This was Takahashi’s first season in the U.S. after a lengthy career in his native country.