Garcia will be replaced on the roster by Nelson Figueroa, who will start tonight against Triple-A Rochester.

Wily Mo Pena will be added to the Triple-A roster as well.

“Maybe I want to try it one more time,” Garcia is quoted as saying.  “If I don’t feel the way I’m supposed to be feeling right now, I don’t know… I’m going to try my best. If not, I guess I’ll go home… That’s it, man.”

Garcia allowed seven runs in five innings last night, and has a 8.18 ERA in two starts this season in Triple-A.

“I’m glad he’s going to stay with us and try to work things out,” Mets Assistant GM John Ricco said, adding Garcia will initially report to minor-league camp, and then either travel to Buffalo for Triple-A or stay in St. Lucie for extended spring training.

In other news, congratulations, Livan Hernandez, for essentially be named the team’s fifth starter.

Yesterday at Tradition Field, Livan Hernandez and Freddy Garcia pitched in a minor-league, intrasquad game.

In five innings of work, Hernandez, who is 1-0 with a 3.07 ERA this spring, allowed one run on four hits while striking out seven.

Garcia, who is 0-3 with a 16.71 ERA in four spring appearances, allowed three runs on eight hits over four innnings of work.

Mike Puma of the New York post reports Jerry Manuel would like to make a decision on who will be the team’s fifth starter by Saturday.

Puma notes Garcia, who believes he can contribute at the major league level and may not accept a minor league assignment, was throwing consistently throwing in the high 80’s, but his performance yesterday did not help his cause.

Meanwhile, Puma reports Hernandez feels ‘perfect.’

In five innings of work, Hernandez allowed one run on four hits while striking out seven.

Garcia allowed three runs on eight hits over four innnings of work.

The rest of the team is off today.

…if i was a betting man, i’d say that that Mets management will be paying very close attention to the results of today’s matchup, and the front-runner for that fifth spot in the rotation may become more finalized because of it…

The Mets will play tomorrow against the Astros in Kissimmee at 1 p.m.

Speaking of starting pitchers…

Adam Rubin of the Daily News believes the Mets will make a push to sign RHP Shawn Hill, who was released by the Nationals last week.

In 2008, Hill went 1-5 in 12 games with a 5.83 ERA in 63 innings pitched.

Later, Freddy Garcia allowed five runs on seven hits in two innings pitched, raising his spring ERA to 16.71.

According to Adam Rubin of the Daily News, “Mets officials appear to be seriously weighing the release of pre-camp favorite Freddy Garcia.”

Meanwhile, Pedro Martinez continues to seek a guaranteed, one-year contract, worth between $5 million and $8 million.

In the Bergen Record, Steve Popper writes, “A person close to Martinez hinted that if the money was not right, he might just walk away, unwilling to lower the bar for future players.”

Popper believes the Mets have been in contact with Martinez, but will not negotiate with him until he lowers his asking price.

Popper provides quotes from Mike Pelfrey, and others, in praise of Martinez.

In a report for ESPN.com, Rob Neyer explains why signing Martinez is ‘probably not a good move.’

Nevertheless, Rubin concludes, “Jon Niese is Hernandez’s primary competition at this point, but the Mets seem content letting the 22-year-old lefthander hone his control at Buffalo.”

I’ll be writing to my Twitter feed, below, as I watch them pitch today:

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According to eyewitnesses, Garcia’s fastball topped out at 84 mph.

…if you ask me, the fifth starter job is looking more and more like it belongs to Livan Hernandez with every day that goes by…

Freddy Garcia

Garcia let up five hits and four walks in his previous two appearances, during which he has a 20.25 ERA.

Last night, Tim Redding let up nine runs in two innings against the Marlins.

He has let up 14 runs in two appearances, one of which was against the Univ. of Michigan.

Meanwhile, Livan Hernandez is scheduled to pitch Saturday. 

In three appearances, Hernandez has a 4.70 ERA, he’s let up nine hits, struck out three and walked three.

Jon Niese will next pitch in a simulated game against minor-league hitters.

Niese has a 9.00 ERA in two appearances, during which he struck out four, walked four and let up four hits.

…if this continues, i think it’s safe to say livan will get the fifth starter’s spot, though he will not immediately travel north with the team, as Adam Rubin of the Daily News has suggested… meanwhile, garcia will be cut, or stay in extended spring training, redding will be the long man, and niese will resume his career at Triple-A, where he should be…

…by the way, i see no evidence the Mets are considering Pedro Martinez, so long as he’s asking for a guaranteed contract…