Miguel Batista will turn 41 next month, one day before pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to Port St. Lucie for spring training.
And the right-hander will be there with the Mets, who signed him to a minor league deal yesterday after he finished the 2011 season with them.
Batista split last season between the Cardinals and the Mets, going 5-2 with a 3.60 ERA in 35 games — including five starts.
After being released by the eventual World Series-champion Cardinals in June, the Mets picked him up on July 5 and brought him back to the majors Aug. 26.
He pitched the Mets to a 3-0 win over the Reds at Citi Field in the final game of the season, becoming the oldest pitcher in franchise history to hurl a complete-game shutout. Batista went 2-0 with a 2.64 ERA for the Mets, and with uncertainty in the rotation and bullpen, Batista could provide depth in both areas.
The Mets also signed Fernando Cabrera to a minor league deal yesterday. The 30-year old right-hander went 4-3 with a 2.71 ERA for Triple-A Sacramento last year. He has pitched for the Red Sox, Orioles and Indians, going 8-7 with a save and a 5.24 ERA in 132 games out of the bullpen.
Sean Kazmar also was signed to a minor league deal. The 27-year-old shortstop hit .253 with three homers and 45 RBIs in 127 games for Triple-A Tacoma a year ago. He played in 19 games with the Padres in 2008.