Mets manager Jerry Manuel said Sunday that team officials will continue to present to left-hander Oliver Perez the suggestion to go to the minors to work out his delivery.

An "ongoing process" is how the manager labeled it.

Perez can refuse, and has remained unwilling to waive that right.

Working for the first time in eight days Saturday, Perez allowed three runs on three hits and two walks in two innings. Manuel then noted it would be difficult to find another opportunity for Perez to pitch at the major league level -- essentially leaving the manager with a 24-man roster.

Perez is in the season second of a three-year, $36 million deal -- and the Mets, as of yet, haven't shown a willingness to eat what remains.

Manuel hoped short bursts out of the bullpen would increase Perez's velocity, but that hasn't been the case.

What about swapping a bad contract for a bad contract? Even that doesn't appear to work. For instance, Tigers pitcher Dontrelle Willis is on his way out in Detroit. While Willis' $12 million salary this season matches Perez's earnings, Willis is off the books after this year. Perez has another year remaining at $12 million.

"No way," a Tigers insider said.