AP

Despite a solid 2007 season, Oliver Perez is determined to look forward instead of dwelling on the past.

The past has had mixed results for Perez, who figures to be the team’s fourth starter this season after going 15-10 with a 3.56 ERA and 174 strikeouts last season.

“Right now, I’m just trying to learn about last year,” Perez said today after a workout at the spring training complex. “That was a really good year for me. I have to take the routine I was making, and I have to learn about the bad things I was doing so I don’t make too many mistakes this year.”

Though many suspected Perez would find his way into the 2007 rotation after pitching well in Game 7 of the 2006 NL Championship Series, the left-hander still had to earn his spot. In 2005-06 with Pittsburgh and the Mets, had back-to-back seasons with an ERA of 5.85 or higher and pitched 215 2/3 innings.

So Perez is determined not to take anything for granted this season and showed as much by arriving early for camp. Pitchers and catchers will report Thursday.

“I’m trying to come to make a spot and work hard and get ready for the season,” Perez said.

The 26-year old struck out 239 batters in 2004 while going 12-10 with the Pirates before his slump. With Johan Santana in the mix, Perez simply needs to duplicate last season with a bump in innings to help the Mets. Last year, he pitched 177 innings.

“The most important thing is to get healthy, get starts and get 200 innings,” Perez said.