Leyritz will now look for another place to play.

``I've seen a lot or organizations wait,'' Leyritz said. ``I was happy they gave me a chance to show I was healthy. Obviously this wasn't a personal thing, it was a numbers thing.''

Leyritz, who can catch, play first or be a designated hitter, missed the end of last season with Los Angeles because of a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder.

He was hitting .130 this spring with no extra-base hits.

Leyritz is best remembered for his three-run homer off Mark Wohlers in Game 4 of the 1996 World Series. He also hit three homers for San Diego against Houston in the 1998 division series.

``With that kind of guy you want to make sure you treat him the right way,'' Mets general manager Steve Phillips.

The Mets also decided to send Alex Escobar, Brian Cole and Grant Roberts down to the minors.