With Jon Niese scheduled to be activated from the disabled list to start Saturday, the Mets will have to another roster move — ideally sending Oliver Perez to the minors.
“We’ll have to see what happens and make a decision,” Minaya said.
So far, they haven’t been able to convince Perez to make the move.
“I have conversations with him,” Manuel said. “To let him know how he’s gonna be used… it’s gonna be difficult to get work at this time, but as long as you’re here, to do what’s best and try to help you get over some of the things you’re going through.”
Manuel said there were a number of options the Mets could choose from to send down, especially with their bullpen in disarray.
Manuel said his eighth inning by committee is now being led by Elmer Dessens and Pedro Feliciano, with Jenrry Mejia “on the outside.”
Mejia, Ryota Igarashi and Fernando Nieve appear to be in the same boat, with Manuel showing little faith in any of them.
As for Niese, who has been out with a hamstring injury, the lefty said he felt “perfect” in his rehab start in Buffalo and when asked if the DL had been needed said, “I probably could have gotten by without it, but it was probably for the best.”
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John Maine threw a light bullpen and said he “felt good.” He’ll throw bullpen again today and then batting practice on Tuesday.


