Posted: Tuesday March 31, 2009 8:36PM; Updated: Tuesday March 31, 2009 8:36PM

Mets reassign Dessens and Kielty

Story Highlights

The Mets reassigned right-hander Elmer Dessens and outfielder Bobby Kielty

They also waived right-hander Fernando Nieve, leaving 25 players in camp

They also released veterans Jose Valentin, Tony Armas Jr. and Junior Spivey

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) -- The New York Mets' opening-day roster is set.

The Mets reassigned right-hander Elmer Dessens and outfielder Bobby Kielty to their minor-league camp and waived right-hander Fernando Nieve on Tuesday, leaving 25 players in the major league camp.

Outfielders Marlon Anderson and Jeremy Reed earned the final bench spots, and right-handers Darren O'Day and Bobby Parnell secured spots in the bullpen.

Outfielder Nick Evans will remain with the team until April 11 when fifth-starter Livan Hernandez is called up for his first start. After that, Evans, who is batting .274 with three home runs and 12 RBIs, will head to Triple-A Buffalo.

Also, the Mets released veteran infielder Jose Valentin, pitcher Tony Armas Jr. and second baseman Junior Spivey from the minor-league camp.

Dessens pitched three innings in the spring, giving up four hits and two walks. Kielty batted .296 with one home run and 10 RBIs in 24 games. Nieve posted a 3.00 ERA in six innings, allowing two runs on four hits and three walks.

Valentin, 39, had just been reassigned on Friday. He played for the Mets in 2006 and part of 2007, but spent all of last season in the minor leagues and could be nearing retirement after 16 seasons in the majors. He batted .267 with one home run and three RBIs in 17 games this spring.

Armas, 30, appeared in three games for the Mets last year before having season-ending sports hernia surgery on Aug. 17. He spent the majority of last season with Triple-A New Orleans and finished 5-7 with a 2.54 ERA in 17 starts. The Mets signed him to a minor-league deal in January, but he made just one appearance before being reassigned.

Spivey signed a minor-league deal with the Mets after the Red Sox released him earlier this month. He has a career .270 batting average over five seasons, but has not played in the majors since 2005 with Milwaukee and Washington.