Mets Sign Mulvey, Mull Nitkowski

The Mets have signed free-agent pitcher and former Flushing farmhand Kevin Mulvey and assigned him to minor league camp.

You may remember that the NJ native was part of the trade that brought Johan Santana to New York. Interesting, Mulvey was also traded for current Met Jon Rauch — from the Twins to the Diamondbacks.

Though his future looked bright when he left the Mets organization, Mulvey hasn’t exactly set the world afire. He’s appeared in 10 MLB games, including 4 starts, and owns a 7.90 ERA and 1.76 WHIP with 19 strikeouts and 14 walks in 27 innings. He was so-so pitching in the International League in 2008 and 2009 but was roughed up in his last two years in the hitter-happy PCL, posting ERAs over six and a half.

Mulvey turns 27 in late May so he likely “is what he is” at this point. But, I like the signing as the Mets need some starting depth at AAA. And it’s always nice to see a former prospect come back and try again.

In other news, another local, C.J. Nitkowski of Suffern, could be signed by the Mets as well. Nitkowski worked out for J.P. Ricciardi and Dan Warthen, sporting a new sidearm delivery that reportedly was modeled after Pedro Feliciano‘s. The 39-year-old Nitkowski spent 5 years pitching in Asia and hasn’t been in the big leagues since 2005, when he was ineffective in 7 games with the Nationals. Considering that Tim Byrdak is on his way to NYC to get his knee checked out, it can’t hurt to give the new-look LOOGY a shot.

By the way, also heading to NYC for examination is David Wright, who has not made any progress with his injured rib cage muscle. Hopefully this rib cage thing won’t turn into an extended issue.