According to Adam Rubin of ESPN New York, the Mets are looking into free agent left-hander Tim Byrdak.

Byrdak was outrighted off the Astros' roster at the end of last season after posting an unremarkable 1.55 WHIP and 29/20 K/BB ratio across 64 relief appearances. But the 37-year-old southpaw was still effective against left-handed batters and could compete for a spot in the Mets' 2011 bullpen.

Astros sent LHPs Tim Byrdak and Gustavo Chacin and RHP Matt Nevarez outright to Triple-A Round Rock.

The two lefties can elect free agency if they wish. Byrdak posted a 3.53 ERA and 7.8 K/9 rate over the last three seasons with the Astros, so he'll get a shot somewhere to win a bullpen spot. He's recovering from sports hernia surgery but should be OK for spring training. Chacin posted a 4.70 ERA and 1.85 WHIP over 38 1/3 innings with Houston in his first year in the big leagues since 2007. Nevarez had an ugly 41/46 K/BB ratio at Double-A this past season.

Tim Byrdak is scheduled to undergo surgery to repair a sports hernia on Oct. 14

Byrdak went 2-2 with a 3.49 ERA in 64 games out of the Houston pen. The lefty said he's been dealing with the issue all season. Though the ERA looks good, the 1.55 WHIP and 29/20 K/BB ratio in 38 2/3 innings should be enough to make you look elsewhere for a fantasy bullpen arm.

Tim Byrdak has been diagnosed with a sports hernia.

Byrdak will have it looked at by a specialist next week and could require surgery if it turns out to be a major injury. He threw up a 3.49 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 29/20 K/BB ratio in 38 2/3 innings of relief this year.

Astros activated LHP Tim Byrdak from the 15-day disabled list.

The lefty has missed the past 20 days with a back injury and a hamstring strain, and will return to a 5.23 ERA, accomplished in 13 appearances. Perhaps the time off helped him regain some confidence.

Tim Byrdak (back) threw a scoreless inning Friday at Triple-A Round Rock and is scheduled to return to the Astros Tuesday.

"He said he felt really good and threw the ball well, and he'll take the mound again tomorrow [at Round Rock] for another inning," Astros manager Brad Mills said on Saturday morning. Byrdak, a left-handed reliever, had a 5.23 ERA in 13 appearances before hitting the disabled list.

Tim Byrdak (back) is expected to begin a minor league rehab assignment with Triple-A Round Rock on Friday.

It usually doesn't take long for a reliever to rebuild his stamina, so it's definitely a possibility that Byrdak could return to the Astros by Monday. He's been on the DL since May 4 with a right hamstring strain.

Tim Byrdak (back) played catch on flat ground Saturday.

Byrdak was given a cortisone shot for his irritated back on Friday and seems to be working already. "I feel better," he said. "The shot seemed to work. It's still not 100 percent done, but they're saying the next couple of days the medicine will continue to work and free that area up." He was placed on the disabled list May 4 with a right hamstring strain.

Tim Byrdak has been diagnosed with back irritation and will receive an injection Friday in Houston.

Byrdak is already serving time on the disabled list with a strained right hamstring, but we can go ahead and tack on another few weeks to his recovery timetable. The lefty would be lucky to return by early June. He had a 5.23 ERA in 13 appearances before hitting the 15-day DL.

Tim Byrdak is flying to Houston to see back specialist Dr. McCann.

Byrdak was placed on the disabled list last week with a strained right hamstring, so to hear he is also having back problems is a minor suprise. The 36-year-old southpaw has a 5.23 ERA over 13 relief appearances this season.

Astros placed LHP Tim Byrdak on the 15-day disabled list with a right hamstring strain.

Byrdak pitched in Monday's loss to the Diamondbacks, so we're working under the assumption that he tweaked something during the brief outing. The 36-year-old southpaw owns a 5.23 ERA over 13 appearances this season.