According to Bart Hubbuch in the New York Post, ?The Mets admitted they really dont have much choice but to yank Perez from the rotation.

In a report for the Bergen Record, Bob Klapisch writes, ?After the game, GM Omar Minaya and Jerry Manuel both hinted Perez is on his way to the minors, where hell be asked to find his control, if not his maturity.

Perez must agree to be sent to the minor leagues, since he has more than five years of major league service.

?I feel embarrassed, he told reporters following the game.

?If I need (to go to the minors), then I have to go, because right now I dont help my team? I dont feel Im doing my job.

Perezs next scheduled start is for Thursday in New York against the Phillies.

?His confidence is shot, and very seldom have I seen him in that form or fashion, Manuel said after the game.

?It could be a thing where we might have to find the best matchups in a short period to get success, to build confidence.? You can go to the bullpen and fight your way out of there.? I have to be honest with you, I havent made a decision; but all those things are things were going to discuss.

I guess that could work, but it basically means the Mets are occupying a bullpen slot for experimental purposes, and Im not sure that is worth the risk at this point in the season.? It probably makes more sense to just send him down to Triple-A, as fans and reporters have been suggesting for weeks, get him away from the craziness and pressure of the big league club, give him some peace and quiet, and let him find what hes missing? assuming it can be found.

?We know hes better than that, and he knows hes better than that, Minaya said, while looking very disappointed.

?Eventually, the Oliver Perez that weve seen will show up.

The thing is, hell show up, then disappear, and show up, and disappear, and so on, and so on, because that is what Perez has always done ? a track record, by the way, Minaya deemed worthy of a three-year contract.? Whats worse, he knew this is who Perez is, yet he and ownership would not compete with the Braves for Derek Lowe, because they did not want give in to the fourth year on a deal.? In other words, I am not sure why any of this is a surprise, to us, or to Minaya.

The sad thing is, if John Smoltz did not leave the Braves to sign with the Red Sox, I am pretty positive Lowe would on the Mets right now.? The Mets wanted Lowe, I believe he was their top target, Lowe wanted to play with the Mets , but he wanted four years, and, from what I can gather, when Smoltz split for Boston, the Braves pushed hard and the Mets did not feel they needed to compete because Perez could be had for less.

The Mets will likely turn to Ken Takahashi, Nelson Figueroa, Tim Redding, Jon Niese or Dillon Gee for Perezs start, assuming he is skipped in the rotation.

If Perez goes to the bullpen, Id think Takahashi will get the start.? If, however, Perez goes to the minor leagues, the Mets can call a pitcher up.

I hope they either activate Redding, or call up one of Niese or Gee ? this was, they are not forced to put Figueroa back on waivers when he inevitably gets sent back down.? Niese or Gee can be sent down with options.? Redding is probably not ready to throw enough pitches in a major league start, he makes a minor-league rehab start on Tuesday.? However, Gee is actually on turn, and scheduled to start Thursday for Triple-A.

Newstex ID: 34618408