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The Mets have agreed to a major-league contract with reliever Neil Ramirez, per Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com. Ramirez will report directly to the club.
Ramirez, 27, joins a Mets pitching staff that has been decimated by injuries to starters Steven Matz, Seth Lugo and Noah Syndergaard and closer Jeurys Familia. Ramirez figures to slot in as a middle-relief option, giving manager Terry Collins an additional option alongside righties Rafael Montero, Paul Sewald, Fernando Salas and Hansel Robles in front of new closer Addison Reed.
The Mets are Ramirez’ third team of the season, as he made nine appearances with the Giants before being claimed off waivers by the Blue Jays and then being designated for assignment. Ramirez elected free agency before clearing waivers, allowing him to choose his sixth organization in just two years (Cubs, Brewers, Twins, Giants, Blue Jays, Mets).
Ramirez, a first-round pick (44th overall) in 2007, owns a career 3.72 ERA and 10.8 K/9 in 92 major-league innings with the Cubs (2014-16), Brewers (2016), Twins (2016) and Giants (2017). He allowed 10 earned runs on 15 hits for San Francisco in 10.1 innings to begin the season.