The Mets have acknowledged a need to build their bullpen beyond Jeurys Familia, AJ Ramos and Jerry Blevins, and though that has yet to begin in earnest, they added some potential depth Friday.
Matt Purke, a 27-year-old lefty, was signed to a minor league deal with an invitation to major league spring training, the team announced.
The former first-round pick by the Rangers spent last season with the White Sox’s Triple-A affiliate in Charlotte, going 4-5 with a 3.97 ERA in 48 relief appearances.
His only major league experience came in 2016, when he pitched in 12 games for the White Sox. He went 0-1 with a 5.50 ERA in 18 innings, with 15 strikeouts. Purke underwent Tommy John surgery in 2014.
Bryan Shaw, Brandon Morrow, Luke Gregerson, Brandon Kintzler, Matt Albers, Mike Minor and Addison Reed are among the arms the Mets could consider to help immediately at the big league level.