Murphy is ready to play wherever Mets need him

MIAMI - Too bad Daniel Murphy can't pitch. But that's probably the only thing the Mets won't ask Murphy to do when he shows up at Triple-A Buffalo at the end of this month to work on his transformation to utility player.

Murphy showed up at Sun Life Stadium before yesterday's game to visit with his teammates and said he might begin a rehab assignment with Class A St. Lucie later this week. Now that he's been playing seven innings at first base in extended spring games, the plan is for him to go the full nine, as well as practice sliding on a mat.

Murphy was placed on the disabled list March 31 with a Grade I sprain of his right knee. The emergence of Ike Davis has prompted the Mets to try Murphy at a number of positions so he can be useful off the bench later this season.

"My situation is to play quality baseball wherever they send me," Murphy said. "That's all I can control. I've played the outfield, I've played second base before, I've played first base, I've played third, so it won't be completely new to me wherever they send me. It will just be consistent reps just like it is anywhere else. Try to get more comfortable at whatever position."

Mejia stays put - for now

The day after suggesting Jenrry Mejia could be sent down to be stretched out as a starter, Jerry Manuel backtracked, insisting he will remain in the Mets' bullpen. When asked about converting him back to a starter, Manuel replied, "Not at this point. Mejia is a guy that we feel is getting enough work and is gaining valuable experience."

Extra bases

Ryota Igarashi (hamstring) will pitch again Monday for Class A St. Lucie, and after a day off, the plan for him is throw Thursday and Friday for Triple-A Buffalo. That could pave the way for a weekend return to the Mets . . . Reliever Kiko Calero (10.59 ERA in 10 games for the Bisons) was released Sunday.