Mets option Greg Burke, call up Carlos Torres, designate Collin McHugh for assignment

After today's 5-2 loss to the Chicago Cubs in which the bullpen gave up three runs, the Mets made another move to change the bullpen status quo.

The Mets announced that they had promoted right-hander Carlos Torres from Triple-A Las Vegas and, in a corresponding move, sent side-armer Greg Burke down to Las Vegas.

Torres wasn't on the 40-man roster so the team had to clear a roster spot, which they did by designating Las Vegas starter Collin McHugh for assignment.

The move is odd in a sense, because while Torres had pitched decently in Las Vegas (3.89 ERA, 67/19 strikeout to walk ratio in 71.2 innings), he has a career ERA of 5.97 in 95 major league innings and turns 31 on October 22.

It's reasonable to ask whether the move actually improves the bullpen, as Burke has been one of the Mets' few effective relievers this season, posting a 3.15 ERA in 20 innings while striking out 18 and walking seven.

As for McHugh, regardless of what you think of his potential, it means the team loses depth at starting pitching when it didn't have to.

MLB.com Mets beat writer Anthony DiComo summed it up:

So to avoid losing a journeyman with a 5.97 ERA, the #Mets optioned a pitcher with a 0.77 ERA since start of May, and DFA'd a 25-yo starter.