MIAMI — Daniel Murphy doesn’t know where he fits in with the Mets, but that is for somebody else to decide.
The injured first baseman expects to begin a minor-league rehab assignment later this week, making it possible he’ll rejoin the Mets by the end of the month.
But with rookie Ike Davis firmly entrenched at first base, Murphy is a man without a position. He will return as a jack of all trades.
“I’ve played the outfield, second base, first base, third, so it won’t be completely new to me wherever they send me,” Murphy said before the Mets’ 10-8 loss to the Marlins yesterday. “It will be just like it is everywhere else, try to get more comfortable at whatever position.”
Murphy strained the medial collateral ligament in his right knee during spring training and has been rehabbing in Port St. Lucie for the last month.
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Though Oliver Perez‘s demotion to the bullpen could create an opportunity for Jenrry Mejia to return to the minor leagues and work as a starter, manager Jerry Manuel isn’t in any hurry for that to happen.
“Mejia is a guy that we think we’re getting enough work and he’s gaining valuable experience,” Manuel said. “If we could continue to do that, it would be better for his development.”
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If it’s any consolation to the Mets, Derek Lowe has been almost as big a bust as Perez, maybe bigger considering the dollars involved.
The veteran righty Lowe (5-3, 5.73 ERA) will face Mike Pelfrey in Atlanta tonight for the start of a two-game series. The Mets pursued Lowe before the 2009 season, but dropped out when the Braves offered four years and $60 million. The Mets turned to Perez for three years and $36 million.
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Chris Carter went 1-for-3 as the starting right fielder, before Jeff Francoeur entered as a pinch-hitter in the seventh. Francoeur is expected back in the starting lineup tonight. Carter, who now has three career starts, last started a game on Sept. 28, 2008 for the Red Sox.
The Mets released reliever Kiko Calero at Triple-A Buffalo.