Jose Valentin and two Juniors are gone

The Mets today released three players who already had been assigned to their minor league camp -- Jose Valentin, Tony Armas Jr. and Junior Spivey. The club had hoped Valentin would accept assignment to its Triple A Buffalo affiliate and serve as infield depth for the big league team and an unofficial coach.

But Valentin had exceeded his own expectations in his appearances in exhibition games,and he believes he still can contribute to a big league team. When the Mets assigned him to the minor league camp, he said he would have his agent look for a job with another club.

The club had no plans for Armas, the veteran pitcher who made three appearances, one start, for the Mets last season, and Spivey, who signed in mid-March.