PORT ST. LUCIE — John Lannan aced his first audition for a bullpen job.
When the veteran lefty arrived at Tradition Field on Sunday, he thought he was headed to Lake Buena Vista, Fla., to start a split-squad game for the Mets. He was soon told he would be staying behind and working in relief against the Nationals.
Lannan, a veteran of 148 major league starts and no relief appearances, pitched a perfect sixth inning in the Mets’ 3-1 exhibition victory.
“Now I have the opportunity to work in this last week and get better at it,” Lannan said. “Once I kind of went through everything [Sunday], and went down to the bullpen and things started to slow down a little bit, I warmed up and everything went pretty well the first time.”
Lannan would give the Mets a second lefty in the bullpen, behind Scott Rice.
Manager Terry Collins indicated he will likely use Lannan on Monday against the Cardinals.
“We told him he’s going to come in with guys on and a left-handed hitter up, so be ready for it,” Collins said.
Kyle Farnsworth was released, but the veteran reliever could be re-signed by the club, according to general manager Sandy Alderson. The Mets had until Tuesday to place Farnsworth on the 25-man roster, release him or give him $100,000 for a minor league assignment.
If Farnsworth is re-signed and sent to the minors, the Mets don’t have to pay the fee.
Daniel Murphy returned to the lineup after spending the previous six days resting a sore right calf. Murphy made an acrobatic play at second base, throwing underhand between his legs to get Bryce Harper at first base on a bunt attempt.
“That’s one of those plays, it was a really good bunt by Bryce,” Murphy said. “I just felt like it was the only way I could get it over to first from the angle I was going to have to take. I’ll probably do it another 15 times and throw 15 of them into the stands.”
Ike Davis went 0-for-2 against the Braves in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., and left the game after four innings because of fatigue, according to Alderson. Lucas Duda played in the game against the Nationals and went 0-for-2 with a walk.