The Mets have told reliever J.J. Putz that they are likely to decline his $8.6 million option for 2010 and buy him out for $1 million instead, his agent said yesterday.
The club cited health concerns in making the long-expected move, pointing to elbow surgery and forearm problems that caused the former All-Star closer to miss the entire second half of his debut season with the Mets.
Putz’s agent, Craig Landis, told The Post that the right-hander understood the decision and hasn’t ruled out returning to the Mets under an incentive-laden deal once free agency begins Nov. 20.
Landis said Putz feels healthy and expects to be ready for the start of spring training.
If Putz doesn’t return, the Mets will have little to show for the three-team trade in December 2008 that brought Putz from Seattle with fellow reliever Sean Green and little-used backup outfielder Jeremy Reed.
The Mets knew Putz’s elbow was damaged goods when they acquired him. He pitched poorly in a setup role due to bone spurs in his right elbow and went on the shelf permanently in early June.
Putz was 1-4 with a 5.22 ERA in 29 appearances as a Met, giving up 29 hits, walking 19 and striking out 19 in 29 1/3 innings.
Yesterday was the first day of the 15-day period for players to file for free agency. Carlos Delgado and Brian Schneider became the first Mets to file.
Aside from Putz, the other eligible Mets are Gary Sheffield, Fernando Tatis, Alex Cora, reliever Elmer Dessens and shortstop Ramon Martinez.