Same Old Oliver Perez and Position Change for Carlos Beltran

The New York Mets are giving left handed pitcher Oliver Perez a chance to once again make the team. If yesterday was any indication, there really is no chance.

What Mets fans and coaching staff saw was the reliably wild Perez. His command of the strike zone has been an issue the past couple years, and it was once again on Sunday against the Atlanta Braves. The left hander walked three batters and gave up four runs in two innings.

Perez, who is trying to make the club as a starter or reliever, was 0-5 with a 6.80 ERA last season.

Decreasing velocity is also a concern for Perez. In yesterday’s game, Perez did not throw a pitch over 86 MPH.

It seems as though Perez does not have a chance to make this team. General manager Sandy Alderson will likely cut him unless he can some how show some unexpected improvement.

In other news, Carlos Beltran will announce today that he is moving over to right field. Beltran met with manager Terry Collins this morning to tell him he would move to his left and allow Angel Pagan to play center field.

Beltran is still working to get his athritic knee back in shape. The knee is capable of playing but being the every day centerfielder would be to strenuous.

The former All-Star is still recovering from surgery in January 2010 which doctors removed bone spurs.

Beltran has been going through a running program to test his knee and has not yet appeared in a spring training game. He is expected to begin playing in games as early as next week but will be used as a DH at first.