Mets News and Notes (04/26/2009)

• Former Met, Armando Benitez, has signed with the Atlantic League’s Newark Bears in an effort to revitalize his career. Benitez is best known for his contributions to the Mets while on the opposing team.
  
  
• The Mets have re-signed RHP Nelson Figueroa and assigned him to Triple-A Buffalo. Figueroa, who was disgruntle following his prompt demotion after his quality outing last Sunday, decided to return with the hopes of winning a job in the weak starting rotation.
  
  
• The Mets also signed 3B Mike Lamb to a minor league deal. This move is strictly to help the Bisons, who are off to a horrible start. Don’t expect to see Lamb at the major league level anytime soon unless David Wright is out for a length of time.
  
  
• If the Mets pitching woes continue and Jerry Manuel sticks to his word the Mets have a number of options in regards to the starting rotation. In the minors they have youngsters Jon Niese and Dillon Gee. While Gee hasn’t thrown in a major league game ever, he did have an impressive spring. They also have veterans, Freddy Garcia and Nelson Figueroa looming as well. If the Mets don’t like what they have internally, they could always turn to Paul Byrd, who is seeking work and is a reliable innings eater.