MLB

After seeing Pirates escape misery, Farnsworth turns to Mets

PORT ST. LUCIE — Kyle Farnsworth had a blast helping the Pirates end a long playoff drought and would like to duplicate the experience with the Mets.

The veteran reliever signed a minor-league contract with the Mets earlier this month and may compete with Jose Valverde and Vic Black, among others, for a prominent setup role.

“They are a good, young club,” Farnsworth said Saturday, when asked what appealed to him about the Mets. “That opportunity to come play again in the National League, also, and help these guys out as much as I can, an opportunity for the bullpen.”

Farnsworth struggled in 39 appearances for the Rays last season, posting a 5.76 ERA, but had a resurgence after the Pirates claimed him off waivers. In nine games for the Pirates, the 37-year-old righty had a 1.04 ERA with two saves.

But that performance wasn’t enough to earn him a spot on the club’s postseason roster after the Pirates reached the playoffs for the first time in 21 years.

Still, he enjoyed the journey.

“For that city not to experience that for 20 or 25 years and the way they turned out for the playoff games, wild-card games, things like that, it was real fun,” Farnsworth said.

Three mostly turbulent seasons with the Yankees, beginning in 2006, have prepared Farnsworth for any adversity he could face in New York. With the Yankees, he never lived up to the three-year contract worth $17 million he signed to set up Mariano Rivera.

“It was definitely a different experience compared to some places,” Farnsworth said. “But it was a great time — great stadium, great people, great fans, great team.” *

Matt Harvey is expected in camp Sunday — pitchers and catchers will undergo physicals — and may receive an indication if he’s cleared to begin throwing later this month. The ace right-hander, who underwent Tommy John surgery in October, likely will miss the entire season, but has said he would like to put himself in position to pitch in September.