Mets place Rule 5 pick Greene on waivers (source)

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- The Mets have placed Rule 5 pick Zach Greene on outright waivers, according to multiple sources, likely ending the reliever’s time in the organization. The club has not confirmed the news.

The Mets had selected Greene from the Yankees with the 27th pick in the Rule 5 Draft in December, hoping he could stick all season as a right-handed middle relief option. But Greene scuffled this spring, allowing seven earned runs over 4 2/3 innings. That line included six walks against five strikeouts.

If Greene clears waivers, the Mets will be obligated to offer him back to the Yankees for a $50,000 fee -- half the price it cost to draft him. If he does not, whichever team claims him will assume his Rule 5 status. The only way Greene can stick in the organization is if he clears waivers and the Yankees opt not to reacquire him, at which point the Mets could outright him to the Minors.

A Rule 5 pick must stay on an active roster or injured list all season, or be offered back to his original team.

Placing Greene on waivers allows the Mets to remove him from their 40-man roster, freeing a spot for them to add someone else. Notably, veterans Tommy Hunter and Jimmy Yacabonis have excelled this spring and would need to be added to the roster if they make the team. However, a source indicated those decisions have not yet been made. Instead, a free 40-man spot gives the front office latitude to add one of those two, or potentially others from inside or outside the organization.

• Curtiss making strong case for Mets' 'pen

Greene had been in competition for what appear to be three open jobs at the back of the Mets’ bullpen. Hunter, Yacabonis, Stephen Nogosek, John Curtiss and Sam Coonrod are among the top candidates for those roles.