MLB

Farnsworth signs minor-league deal with Mets

The Mets missed out on Grant Balfour last week and so far, the consolation prize is Kyle Farnsworth.

The right-hander was signed to a minor league deal Monday with an invitation to major league camp after splitting last season with the Rays and Pirates.

Not surprisingly, Farnsworth’s signing doesn’t end the Mets’ search for bullpen help. They are still interested in adding another arm, but as sources said last week, consider the top available reliever, Fernando Rodney, a “long shot.”

They have had interest in Kevin Gregg, as well as former closers who are coming off injuries, such as Joel Hanrahan.

Farnsworth’s last standout season came in 2011, when he had 25 saves with Tampa Bay.

Overall, he pitched 48 games, going 3-1 with a 4.70 ERA and a pair of saves.

The 37-year-old, who had a rocky tenure with the Yankees, pitched well down the stretch after being traded to Pittsburgh.

In seven games with the Pirates, Farnsworth appeared in nine games, striking out nine in 8 ²/₃ innings.

Farnsworth was with the Yankees from 2006-08 and was traded to Detroit before the deadline in 2008 for Ivan Rodriguez.

He’ll compete for a job in an inexperienced pen that right now has Bobby Parnell as its closer.