DETROIT — Dominic Leone never got his opportunity with the Rangers, but the Mets were willing to give him a major league shot.
The veteran right-hander signed a one-year deal with the Mets on Thursday, after opting out from his contract with the Rangers this week.
Leone, 31, appeared in 55 games for the Giants last season and pitched to a 4.01 ERA.
Leone was in place before Thursday’s game and pitched a scoreless seventh inning with one strikeout in the Mets’ 2-0 loss to the Tigers at Comerica Park.
Leone, a Norwich, Conn., native had appeared in eight games this season at Triple-A for the Rangers, pitching to a 1.59 ERA.
Leone’s addition comes as the Mets are searching for additional bullpen arms that can augment their nucleus of David Robertson, Adam Ottavino, Drew Smith and Brooks Raley.
The left-hander Raley is on the injured list with elbow inflammation.
John Curtiss and Zach Muckenhirn were optioned to Triple-A Syracuse to create roster space for Leone and Justin Verlander (who was activated from the injured list for his Mets debut). Omar Narvaez was shifted to the 60-day IL to create a spot on the 40-man roster for Leone.
Carlos Carrasco has been sick, according to Buck Showalter, affecting the Mets’ plans to schedule a minor league rehab start for the right-hander.
The Mets had previously hoped Carrasco would pitch Friday or Saturday, in his return from right elbow swelling caused by a bone chip.
Carrasco received a cortisone injection for the discomfort. Showalter has been hopeful Carrasco will be in position to rejoin the Mets rotation by the end of next week.
Eduardo Escobar started at third base and went 0-for-2 with a walk.
The veteran infielder has been displaced by rookie Brett Baty in recent weeks and Showalter said the new limited role has been difficult for Escobar to accept.
“It’s been tough; he’ll never talk about it,” Showalter said. “But I don’t want him to get too far away from playing. Something is going to happen where we are going to need him to play.”
Showalter said Escobar’s pleasant demeanor probably hides the fact he’s stung by the demotion.
“This guy has got a lot of pride over what he’s done in his career and he wants to get back in there, because he knows as evidenced by the past that he is capable of it,” Showalter said.