Mets Sign Another Out of Work Reliever to Fill Billy Wagner's Void

Billy Wagner, who was eligible to come off the disabled list on Monday, has been told by his doctor that he's still three weeks away from returning to action. Needless to say, that's not what the Mets wanted to hear, prompting the team to sign yet another reliever. After adding the extremely indisposible Luis Ayala earlier this week, the Mets signed Tampa Bay cast-off Al Reyes to a minor league deal.

Reyes, who saved 26 games last year before being replaced as Tampa Bay's closer by Troy Percival over the winter, posted a 4.37 ERA in 22 2/3 innings before being released 10 days ago. He'll report to Double-A Birmingham, but he's expected to return to the big leagues soon. From the New York Daily News:

"As I've said, we're looking at guys who are not having the best years," GM Omar Minaya said, referring to the lack of closers to have made it through waivers. "There was a major league offer, but he's chosen to go with us.

"How he would be used (if brought up) would be up to (manager) Jerry (Manuel)."

And what does Manuel think of him?

"I wouldn't know him if he walked into the room," Manuel said.

That's not exactly a ringing endorsement. For Reyes' sake, here's to hoping Manuel sticks to Baseball-Reference and not Google to learn more -- I'm sure Manuel stumbling across an article talking about how Reyes was taken down with a taser after starting a bar fight (and spitting blood on patrons) this past April isn't the first impression he's hoping for.