The New York Mets designated relief pitcher Brandon Lyon for assignment, the team announced on Thursday. The decision came on the heels of Lyon's outing in a loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks in which the veteran reliever allowed the go-ahead run in the top of the 14th inning.
Lyon, 33, entered Thursday with a 3-3 record and a 4.91 ERA in 33 innings pitched. After striking out more than a batter per inning a year ago, Lyon's strikeout rate is down to 6.3 per nine innings in 2013. His 1.61 WHIP is his highest in any full season since 2005.
The Mets will recall reliever Greg Burke, who is 0-1 with a 3.86 ERA in 22 appearances this season, to take Lyon's place.
Lyon has a 4.16 career ERA in 12 big-league seasons. He signed a one-year, $750,000 deal with the Mets before spring training after making more than $5 million in each of the past two campaigns.
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