MET NOTES

The Danny Graves pursuit is nearing its conclusion, and the Mets went into last night thinking they were the leading candidates to sign the reliever.

As it is, the Mets are at least one of the three finalists for Graves. An online report yesterday afternoon said the Mets were competing with the Braves and Marlins – and Graves’ agent, Alan Nero, confirmed the three finalists to The Post yesterday.

Nero added that Graves was expected to make his decision by this afternoon and said that several factors will come into play in Graves’ decision.

“I think it’s just a matter of feeling comfortable with the organization,” Nero said, “and finding a place where not only he can contribute to their success but they might help him get back on track as well.”

The 31-year-old Graves struggled this season before being released by the Reds, posting a 7.36 ERA. In 2004, the righty saved 41 of 50 games and notched a 3.95 ERA.

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The Mets will pick ninth in today’s amateur draft and will be looking to continue a pretty strong run of solid first-rounders.

The Mets’ last four first-rounders were RHP Philip Humber (2004), OF Lastings Milledge (2003), LHP Scott Kazmir (2002) and RHP Aaron Heilman (2001). In 2001, the Mets also took David Wright in the first round, though that was a sandwich pick and 38th overall.

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Today marks the deadline for designated-for-assignment outfielder Eric Valent. The Mets had 10 days to either trade or release him . . . The Mets have tallied double digits in hits in four of their last five games . . . Heilman has not allowed a run since May 15, a span of seven relief appearances and 6 1/3 innings.

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For the second time this year, Carlos Beltran will face his former team. The Astros could certainly use the Mets’ star center fielder – they’re 21-34 this season, eight games worse than the 30-27 Mets.

“Houston, right now they’re not having a good year, but we can’t feel too comfortable,” Beltran said Sunday. Beltran, meanwhile, is still trying to get healthy from his strained right quad. “I still feel sore, but it’s gonna take time,” he said Sunday.

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Pitching matchups for the Astros series: tonight, Pedro Martinez (6-1, 2.62 ERA) vs. RHP Roy Oswalt (6-6, 3.06); tomorrow, RHP Victor Zambrano (3-5, 4.24) vs. RHP Brandon Backe (5-3, 4.54); Thursday, LHP Tom Glavine (4-5, 4.63) vs. LHP Andy Pettitte (3-6, 3.47).

– Additional reporting by Michael Morrissey