4:14pm After yesterday’s game Oliver Perez said, “If I need (to go to the minors), then I have to go, because right now I don’t help my team… I don’t feel I’m doing my job.”

Today Perez backtracked on that statement when he was asked if he would go to the minors, he answered with, “I can’t say yet.” When asked why the change of heart Perez said: “I was frustrated. Every pitcher can say that, because that was a tough day for me and I can say anything. Today, I feel a little more relaxed.”

Oh and for the first time this season he mentioned that he’s being bothered by a sore knee.

So that explains the 9.97 ERA, he was bothered by a sore knee this whole time guys. Let’s cut him some slack now. What a joke, obviously his agent Scott Boras whispered in his ear about not accepting a demotion to the minors so he say’s he’s been hurting.The Mets may now have to place him on the DL. Which I guess would save him some face, basically he’d be doing “rehab” starts in the minors not because of a demotion.

Either way he will not be making his next scheduled start thankfully, which will be Friday at home against the Pirates. After today’s rain out the Mets opted to push back the rotation with Maine going tomorrow instead of Livan. Options to replace Oliver are Ken Takahashi, Tim Redding, Nelson Figueroa, Dillon Gee or Jon Niese. With Perez now likely headed to the DL I think they’ll activate Redding although he’s scheduled to start on Tuesday in a minor league rehab start, Gee is scheduled for Thursday which could line up him for that Friday start. Jerry said the final decision on Perez will be made tomorrow.

I know it’s been very frustrating for many fans, especially with the success of Derek Lowe in Atlanta. I still feel the Braves overpaid for Lowe at four years $60 million. I highly doubt he’ll be performing where he is now in 3 years. We were burned with the Pedro signing and I don’t think the Wilpons were willing to spend as much as what was needed this off-season. After Lowe was off the market the Mets didn’t really have a choice, they had to sign Perez as the starting pitching options became scarce, so I can’t fault Omar for signing him. I don’t think the season is lost by any means for Perez, he does need more a lot more work after he pretty much took two weeks off in March during the WBC and he does need to clear his head. Let’s see what happens, whatever we get out of his replacement will be better than what he’s given us thus far.