Mets relief pitcher Vic Black elects free agency

Relief pitcher Vic Black has elected free agency. He did not appear with the Mets this season and was removed from the 40-man roster in September.

Black was originally acquired by the Mets in 2013 from the Pirates along with Dilson Herrera in exchange for Marlon Byrd and John Buck. After a successful 2014 season out of the Mets' bullpen, during which he had a 2.60 ERA, Black was expected to be an piece of the Mets' bullpen in 2015.

But shoulder and neck issues kept him off the field to start the season. After rehabbing the injury, he was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas and began dealing with a groin issue. Black was never able to fully work his way back to his 2014 form, and pitched poorly during his time with the 51s. In 26.2 innings, he had a 7.09 ERA and walked a staggering 8.78 batters per nine innings.