Mets lose Jack Leathersich to Cubs

The Mets lost lefthander Jack Leathersich on Thursday when he was claimed off waivers by the Cubs.

Leathersich, 25, posted a 2.31 ERA in 17 appearances for the 2015 Mets in his first major-league season, which ended in July when he underwent Tommy John surgery.

Leathersich, a fifth-round draft pick in 2011, has had gaudy strikeout numbers that made him an intriguing prospect, though he also posted high walk rates. In the minors, he struck out 15.2 batters and walked 4.9 per nine innings, a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 3.10.

Leathersich is expected to return midway through next season, and the Mets have a need for reliable lefty options out of the bullpen. But they need to free up spots on the 40-man roster ahead of today's deadline to protect prospects from the Rule 5 draft.

Former first-rounder Brandon Nimmo is among those whom the Mets will need to put on the roster to be shielded from the Rule 5 draft.

Slow-moving market

The Mets see themselves as being in the mix for free-agent utilityman Ben Zobrist. Team officials have had multiple conversations with his reps, including a conference call involving Zobrist himself.

No moves appear imminent, with Zobrist still canvassing his options after drawing heavy interest in the free- agent market.

Much of the team's efforts have centered on preparing for the days leading up to the winter meetings, when activity is expected to pick up after the Thanksgiving holiday.

"Nothing's really on the fast track at the moment,'' a team official said Thursday.

Out on Oh?

Seung-hwan Oh, the South Korean righty who has been one of the top relievers in Japan, is interested in playing in the big leagues next season. Despite a need in the bullpen, however, the Mets appear unlikely to aggressively bid for his services, according to sources.

Oh, 33, has posted a 1.81 ERA in 11 seasons in Korea and Japan. His work out of the bullpen earned him the nickname "Final Boss.''