Prior to yesterday’s game, Jerry Manuel told reporters that Oliver Perez will start on Friday.
…this would at least keep Jon Niese on schedule should the team decide he is the best option for Saturday’s start in place of the injured John Maine, who, by the way, threw a bullpen session yesterday and seems ready to return [...]

Last night for Triple-A New Orleans, Mets LHP Jon Niese let up two runs and six hits in six innings.
The 21–year-old Niese is 2–0 with a 2.08 ERA in two starts at Triple-A.
…i was hoping to see niese start for the Mets at Shea Stadium this weekend against the Marlins, filling in for the missing John Maine…the [...]

Mets RHP Claudio Vargas cleared waivers and reported back to Triple-A New Orleans yesterday.
The 30-year-old Vargas pitched in 11 games, including four starts, for the Mets after being called up from New Orleans on May 13.
He was 3-2 with a 4.62 ERA in 37 innings.

Claudio Vargas has been designated for assignment, and will be replaced by RHP Carlos Muniz.
…of the people who pitched last night, i’m not sure vargas is the guy who should be getting sent to the minor leaguers, quite frankly…
Prior to letting up four runs in two innings last night, Vargas had a 2.45 ERA in [...]

Last night in a win over the Dodgers, Claudio Vargas allowed four runs on five hits while striking out two and walking one through 5.2 innings pitched.
He is 2–2 in four starts with the Mets, with a 4.50 ERA.
Willie Randolph, on Vargas, while speaking to reporters following last night’s win, said:

“Vargie did another nice job [...]

According to David Lennon, in a post to his blog for Newsday, when Pedro Martinez returns next week, the Mets may keep Mike Pelfrey in the rotation and move Claudio Vargas to long relief.
…and, i guess, demote Carlos Muniz, who is creating his own version of the Heath Bell Shuttle…
Lennon also writes about Fernando Tatis, [...]

 will have exclusive footage from Pedro Martinez’s rehab start for Single-A St. Lucie tonight, which will air around 10 pm either during the game, post-game or on SportsNite.
As noted this morning, MLB.com and ESPN.com both list Martinez as next Tuesday’s starter for the Mets in San Francisco against the Giants.
…which, by the way, is Claudio Vargas’s next [...]

Claudio Vargas pitched very well in his first start this season, and left to a standing ovation.
The 29-year-old allowed three hits and two earned runs over 6 1/3 innings. He struck out six, and walked four.
Vargas, spoke with reporters after the game…
“I felt good and I pitched good, and I gave the team [...]

After last night’s disappointing loss to the Nationals, Willie Randolph spoke with reporters.
Willie, on why he didn’t pull Aaron Heilman when he seemed to be struggling…
“In that situation, you have to let him work his way through it…we just went through the top of the lineup and I needed some length, Schoeneweis was under the [...]

The Mets have announced RHP Nelson Figueroa and Jorge Sosa have been Designated for assignment.
The Mets have also placed OF Angel Pagan on the 15-day disabled list with a injured shoulder.
In their place the Mets have recalled RHP Claudio Vargas, RHP Matt Wise and OF/IF Fernando Tatis.
…good to see the Mets make the correct moves [...]

RHP Claudio Vargas made his first start in the Mets’ organization today, for single A St. Lucie.
The 29-year old right hander, signed earlier this month after being released by Milwaukee, faced the Palm Beach Cardinals, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits in five solid innings.
He didn’t walk a batter, and struck out six.
Ramon [...]

According to Adam Rubin in the Daily News, Mets RHP Claudio Vargas is expected to join Triple-A New Orleans today.
Vargas had spent the last week or so working out in extended spring training in St. Lucie.
Also, Rubin returns with his outstanding minor-league report, at his blog for the Daily News, during which he recaps who [...]

Marc Normandin at Mets Geek takes a deeper look at newly acquired RHP Claudio Vargas, who is currently working out in extended spring training in St. Lucie.
Normandin writes:
“He’s better than replacement level, but not by much…don’t expect him to beef up the back-end of the rotation anymore than the usual [...]

The Mets have signed Claudio Vargas to a minor-league deal.
Vargas will report to extended spring training in Port St. Lucie, before joining Triple-A New Orleans.
…i like this, since it is a minor-league deal…he can reach the upper 90s with his fastball, he has a decent curve ball and a ton of potential…if nothing else, he [...]

During his weekly appearance on WFAN, SI.com’s Jon Heyman said he not impressed so far this season with the Mets, adding, “They don’t have a swagger…They’re missing a spark.”
Lastly, Heyman says other teams still wonder why Aaron Heilman is not a starting pitcher.
…and so do thousands of Mets fans, jon, including me at times, especially when [...]