Mets re-sign Moreno to minor league deal

NEW YORK -- The New York Mets signed righthander Orber Moreno to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training, the club announced Wednesday. Moreno, 26, was a solid presence out of the Mets bullpen for three months in 2004, his largest sample of Major League duty to date.

Moreno appeared in 33 games for New York, going 3-1 with a 3.38 ERA. In 34.2 innings pitched, he struck out 29 and walked 11.

He was sidelined after July 22 with a strained right shoulder, suffered while taking batting practice, and missed the rest of the season. It was the second trip of the year to the disabled list for Moreno, who also was placed on the DL on June 10 with the same injury.

Moreno underwent arthroscopic surgery on the shoulder on October 21 and is expected to be ready for spring training.