Here’s the official dispatch from the Mets…
FLUSHING, N.Y., March 21, 2011 - The New York Mets today announced that they have released lefthanded pitcher Oliver Perez.
The 6-3, 205-pounder had one year left on his contract.
"As I said during the winter our plan was to bring Oliver to Spring Training and give him a chance," said Mets General Manager Sandy Alderson. "After trying him as a starter and out of the bullpen, we felt that we needed to move in a different direction. Terry and I met and I went to Jeff (Wilpon), told him my recommendation and Jeff approved on behalf of ownership."
Perez went 0-5 with a 6.80 ERA in 2010 after going 3-4 with a 6.82 ERA in 2009. Overall, the lefthander is 58-69 with a 4.63 ERA during his nine-year major league career with the San Diego Padres, Pittsburgh Pirates and Mets.