Ken Takahashi,lefty reliever signed to Minor league deal

In a deal that some might scream desparate the Mets have signed Japanese lefthander Ken Takahashi to a minor-league contract as perAdam Rubin .

The 39-year-old lefthander was mostly a starter last year when he went 8-5 with a 3.50 ERA in 21 games for the Hiroshima Carp . He was hurt in first spring-training game with the Blue Jays. He was released Monday.

I guess the Mets see him as a back up to Pedro Feliciano since el Pedro is the only lefty out of the bullpen . The Mets had Ron Villone in camp but released him.