MET NOTES

PHILADELPHIA – The Mets may have just found some starting pitching help.

The club is closing in on signing right-handed starter Alay Soler, a Cuban defector, who the Mets believe could be in the majors at some point this year.

The team has given Soler a three-year big-league contract, pending a physical. Soler is believed to be around 24-years-old, though his age might be slightly different.

Soler, who has been working out at the Mets’ facility in the Dominican Republic, is not a flamethrower but owns a fastball that rides in the low 90’s.

He will not be in the United States for a few weeks, but when he arrives he’ll likely start his career with the Mets’ St. Lucie team in A-ball.

The Mets have been hunting for starting pitching for awhile now, and although Soler will not be able to make an immediate impact, he could potentially provide a late-season boost.

It should be said the history of Cuban pitchers has been spotty. While Livan Hernandez and Orlando Hernandez have thrived, others – like Jose Contreras and Ariel Prieto – have struggled.

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Vance Wilson returned from the DL after missing three weeks with a strained right hamstring. The Mets optioned Tom Wilson to Norfolk.

Karim Garcia went 1-for-5 with a double, three RBIs and an error at first base in his final rehab game for Binghamton. He’ll be activated tomorrow.

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Phillies’ RF Bobby Abreu won the All-Star fan voting and earned his first berth in the Midsummer Classic.