Mets center fielder Cameron Maybin Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The Mets have outrighted outfielder Cameron Maybin and infielder Wilfredo Tovar to Triple-A Syracuse after both cleared waivers, notes Tim Healey of Newsday. Both players have the right to refuse a minor league assignment and elect free agency.

With their outfield in shambles, New York acquired Maybin from the Cubs a few weeks ago. The hope was the respected veteran would prove a competent fill-in while many of the Mets regulars recovered from various injuries. That didn’t prove to be the case, though, as the 34-year-old went just 1-28 with three walks and 12 strikeouts in nine games. The Mets designated Maybin for assignment on Monday, selecting the hot-hitting Mason Williams from Triple-A in his place.

Tovar’s major league work was even sparser than Maybin’s. Selected to the roster on May 18, Tovar only picked up 12 plate appearances in six games before being removed from the roster. The Mets designated the 29-year-old for assignment after claiming Travis Blankenhorn off waivers on Tuesday.

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