After reviewing Oliver Perez's medical records, Major League Baseball had...

After reviewing Oliver Perez's medical records, Major League Baseball had no objection to the Mets putting Perez on the disabled list. (May 9, 2010) Credit: Christopher Pasatieri

Major League Baseball has received Oliver Perez's medical records from the Mets and has no issue with his disabled list assignment, a league spokesman said last night.

After repeatedly refusing a minor-league assignment, Perez was placed on the 15-day disabled list Saturday with tendinitis in his surgically repaired left knee - a roster move that appeared convenient because the Mets needed to make room for Jon Niese.

The league office requested that the Mets provide medical proof for the DL move, which is what MLB does in scenarios that raise eyebrows. The Mets said Perez had an MRI on Friday night after complaining of left knee discomfort.

Perez had been saying for weeks that he was healthy, but the Mets said Perez started feeling pain in his knee after his most recent outing.

Perez is currently in Port St. Lucie rehabbing his knee.

Maine close to return

John Maine (shoulder) threw live batting practice, which he called "a necessary step to get back to pitching," and said he expects to be pitching "somewhere" this weekend.

"I felt good," he said. "I've been feeling good for a while. [The ball is] probably coming out a little better than it was before."

Maine probably will throw at least one minor-league rehab assignment before rejoining the Mets rotation.

Manager Jerry Manuel might have tipped his hand on the team's plans for Maine. When asked about the struggling Hisanori Takahashi, Manuel said: "We like Takahashi as a pitcher. We think we have lost a little something in the bullpen when he's a starter. So that's a scenario that could work if and when John Maine is healthy and we feel that he's ready to be a part of the rotation. Those are some things that we're discussing as he gets closer."

Asked if Maine's stuff looked better than when he pulled him after five pitches May 20, Manuel said: "Yes. Yes."

Extra bases

Carlos Beltran (knee) took batting practice in Port St. Lucie . . . Jets coach Rex Ryan threw the ceremonial first pitch.

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