MLB

Vic Black aims to become Mets’ closer after being acquired from Pirates

WASHINGTON — Vic Black wasn’t holding back anything yesterday on his first official day of work with the Mets.

The 25-year-old reliever — the player to be named later in the trade that sent Marlon Byrd and John Buck to the Pirates last week — made it clear he envisions a future with the Mets that includes ultimately becoming the closer.

“Back-end is definitely what I think I’m bred for,” the right-handed Black said before the Mets lost 6-5 to the Nationals last night. “Mind-wise, aggressiveness, it seems to fit — it seems to flow.

“I think the last two years I’ve been fairly successful with it. I was given the opportunity with the organization I was with, and it’s definitely something I would like to carry on.”

Black’s arsenal includes a high-90s fastball and hard slider that helped him strike out 63 batters in 46 2/3 innings this season for the Pirates’ Triple-A Indianapolis affiliate, where he posted a 2.51 ERA and 17 saves.

The Mets see Black as another young, powerful arm to join the likes of Gonzalez Germen, Jeurys Familia and perhaps Cory Mazzoni in next year’s bullpen equation. That doesn’t include closer Bobby Parnell, who isn’t expected to return this season after hitting the disabled list last month with a herniated disk in his neck.

Black made his major league debut with the Pirates at Nationals Park in July and left an impression.

“I talked to some guys on the Nationals that faced him and they said he has closer’s stuff,” manager Terry Collins said. “That was a good thing to hear, because they’ve got a good team.”

* The Mets signed right-hander Aaron Harang to a minor league contract and assigned him to Triple-A Las Vegas. The 35-year-old Harang was 5-11 with a 5.76 ERA in 22 starts this season for the Mariners. He will likely join the Mets for added depth after Las Vegas completes the playoffs.

* Tim Byrdak is still regaining strength in his left shoulder, but just rejoining the Mets a year after his career appeared over was reason enough for him to celebrate yesterday.

The 39-year-old lefty reliever was selected from Triple-A Las Vegas after 11 scoreless appearances spanning eight innings for the 51s. Friday will mark one year since Byrdak underwent surgery to repair a torn anterior capsule in his left shoulder.

* Ike Davis, who likely is done for the season after straining his right oblique on Saturday, will travel to New York tomorrow for further evaluation. Davis was scheduled to go with the club to Atlanta so he could participate tonight in the team’s annual fantasy football draft.

* Wilmer Flores has been bothered by sore feet in recent days, according to Collins, but is expected to rejoin the starting lineup today.

“It just looks like he’s aggravated by it,” Collins said. “And his swing has changed a little bit, so he might be getting tired, also. I just thought I would give him a couple of days.”