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          New York Mets

          Byrdak to return on minors deal

          Nov 26, 2012
          • Adam RubinESPN Staff Writer
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              Adam Rubin has covered the Mets since 2003. He's a graduate of Mepham High School on Long Island and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He joined ESPNNewYork after spending 10 years at the New York Daily News.
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          Left-handed reliever Tim Byrdak has re-signed with the Mets on a minor league deal.

          Tim Byrdak

          Tim Byrdak

          #40 RP
          New York Mets

          2012 STATS

          • GM56

          • W2

          • L2

          • BB18

          • K34

          • ERA4.40

          Byrdak, however, underwent surgery on Sept. 6 to repair a torn anterior capsule in his pitching shoulder -- the same procedure Johan Santana and Chris Young previously underwent.

          Young returned to the majors more rapidly than Santana -- but that was still 13 months after his procedure. A reliever could return more quickly, but that still would seem to leave little window to contribute much in 2013.

          Byrdak said he will be in New York for union meetings this week and will visit team doctors Thursday to gauge where he is post-surgery.

          The Mets do have young left-handed relievers Josh Edgin and Robert Carson as bullpen options. They also have signed 31-year-old left-hander Scott Rice to a minor league deal with spring-training invite.

          Terry Collins said as the season concluded that he would prefer the Mets sign a veteran left-handed reliever so as not to depend so heavily on Edgin and/or Carson next season.

          WGBB host Mike Silva first reported the sides were close to an agreement.