Mets signed OF Fernando Perez to a minor league contract; assigned him to Triple-A Buffalo.

Perez was released by the Cubs earlier this month. The 28-year-old outfielder was batting .238/312/.337 with three homers and 20 RBI over 282 plate appearances with Triple-A Iowa this season. He'll provide some depth at Buffalo while Fernando Martinez recovers from a recent hip injury.

Cubs released OF Fernando Pereez.

Perez was acquired from the Rays over the winter in the Matt Garza trade. The 28-year-old outfielder was batting .238/312/.337 with three homers and 20 RBI over 282 plate appearances with Triple-A Iowa this season.

Cubs optioned OF Fernando Perez to Triple-A Iowa; reassigned INFs Bobby Scales, Augie Ojeda, Scott Moore and OF Matt Camp to minor league camp.

And with that, the Cubs have essentially set their roster for position players. Blake DeWitt keeps his spot on the roster after batting just .167 (8-for-48) while Darwin Barney will give the Cubs another option for second base. Reed Johnson, a non-roster invitee, will make the team as a reserve outfielder.

Fernando Perez will go back to switch-hitting this season after spending last year as a right-handed hitter.

Perez, who was acquired from the Rays in the Marr Garza deal, missed the 2009 season with injuries to his left wrist and shoulder and then decided he was better off concentrating on batting righty last season. He'll probably open the year at Triple-A Iowa as he works on regaining his lefty stroke.

OF Fernando Perez and LHP Zachary Rosscup were acquired by the Cubs as part of the Matt Garza deal.

Perez missed most of 2009 with a dislocated wrist and then struggled upon returning last season, batting .223/.280/.299 for Triple-A Durham. Back in 2008, he was looking like a potentially excellent fourth outfielder with a pretty good bat and plenty of speed and defense. His bat needs to bounce back, but he could prove very useful for the Cubs, particularly if Kosuke Fukudome gets moved. Rosscup, a 28th-round pick in 2009, was not viewed as one of the Rays' top pitching prospects.

Fernando Perez will be sent to the Cubs in the Matt Garza deal.

The Cubs are also expected to get a minor league pitcher in the trade while the Rays will receive top pitching prospect Chris Archer, shortstop Hak-Ju Lee, outfielder Brandon Guyer, catcher Robinson Chirinos and outfielder Sam Fuld. Perez, 27, failed to reach the big leagues last year and batted just .223/.280/.299 at the Triple-A level. He is basically a throw-in.