Jeff

Walters

Walters enjoyed a big year as a closer in Double-A this past season, putting up a 2.09 ERA, 38 saves, and a 60/16 K/BB ratio over 56 innings. The 26-year-old isn’t far away from making an impact in the major league bullpen.

The move clears a 40-man roster spot for James Loney, who was acquired from the Padres on Saturday and will officially join the Mets on Tuesday night. Walters, 28, had a 9.27 ERA through 22 1/3 innings this season at Triple-A Las Vegas. He’s never appeared in a major league game.

Walters cleared waivers after being designated for assignment. He holds a 9.27 ERA through 22 1/3 innings this season at Las Vegas this season.

Walter, 29, held a 5.89 ERA across 56 relief appearances at Triple-A in the Mets organization last season. He’s never pitched in the majors and is a long shot to crack the Rays’ Opening Day roster.

Walters allowed five runs -- four earned -- in 4 2/3 innings this spring in the Grapefruit League. The 29-year-old right-hander has never appeared in a major league game.

That’s the injury that pretty much always leads to Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery. Walters had a rough 8.86 ERA over his first 21 1/3 innings this season at Triple-A Las Vegas. The 26-year-old will likely be out of commission through the middle of 2015.

Walters, who was added to the 40-man roster over the winter, sustained a torn UCL earlier this month. The reliever will be sidelined until around midseason next year.

Walters is protected from the Rule 5 draft. The 28-year-old returned from Tommy John surgery this past season and posted a 2.45 ERA in 29 appearances between three levels in the minors.

Walters made his return from Tommy John surgery last season and posted a 2.45 ERA with 10.7 K/9 and 1.8 BB/9 over 29 appearances between rookie ball, High-A and Double-A. The 28-year-old was re-added to the Mets’ 40-man roster in November and could be an option for the major league bullpen soon.

He’s now off the 40-man roster. Walters will be sidelined until midseason next year while he recovers from Tommy John surgery.