Mets offer arbitration to Perez

NEW YORK (AP) -- Free-agent pitcher Oliver Perez was offered salary arbitration Monday by the New York Mets, who would receive two compensatory draft picks if the left-hander signs with another team.

Perez was 10-7 with a 4.22 ERA in 34 starts this season. He had 180 strikeouts and 105 walks in 194 innings.

The Mets did not offer arbitration to their other free agents: Pedro Martinez, Luis Ayala, Damion Easley, Moises Alou, Orlando Hernandez, Tony Armas Jr., Ramon Martinez, Trot Nixon, Ricardo Rincon and Matt Wise.

Perez has until Sunday to accept the arbitration offer.

In other news, outfielder-first baseman Nick Evans has a strained right quadriceps and will stop playing winter ball in Puerto Rico. He will undergo three to four weeks of therapy at home in Arizona and is expected to be ready for spring training.

Evans was examined Monday in New York.

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