On the Mets beat

Oliver Perez spent the early part of yesterday taking loopy, exaggerated swings in the batting cage. So his sore back is obviously better and he’s ready to come off the disabled list and start today against the Reds.
Jorge Sosa rejoined the team and went through the normal pitcher drills. So his strained left hamstring is obviously better and he’s ready to come off the disabled list and start tomorrow in San Diego.
The Mets’ best hopes have come true in terms of those two pitchers. Perez and Sosa had combined for 14 wins (seven each) when they went on the DL in the first week of July, and the best-case scenario had them both returning right after the All-Star break.
Welcome to the best-case scenario.
Now the Mets have some decisions to make. Two pitchers will have to go to make room for Perez and Sosa, one today and one tomorrow. So get ready to say goodbye to Mike Pelfrey, Dave Williams or Aaron Sele.
Pelfrey, who was told by the Mets earlier this week that he was going to start tomorrow against the Padres, got a revised billet on Thursday, when he was sent to the bullpen. He pitched 1 1/3 innings in the Mets’ 8-4 loss to the Reds.
Pelfrey is the likeliest candidate to go first so he can start regularly for Triple-A New Orleans.
"We’ll talk about that later,” manager Willie Randolph said when asked about Pelfrey’s future.
The tougher decision will come tomorrow when the Mets will likely let go of either Williams or Sele, unless they want to go with 13 pitchers. Both veterans can fill the spot starter/long reliever role. Sele is 2-0 with a 4.41 ERA in 20 appearances; Williams is 0-1 with a 21.60 ERA in one start, last Sunday in Houston.
UPDATE, 10:45 p.m.: Williams was designated for assignment after the game to make room for Perez. Are the Mets really thinking about using Pelfrey as the long man? Or will he be going back to Triple-A on Monday? Stay tuned.