31.   In the month since the Mets made that offer, salaries for middle relievers have risen dramatically.

32.   Interim general manager Dave Wallace said the club could add a middle reliever rather than overpay for a run-of-the-mill veteran starting pitcher.

33.   Jeff Suppan is expected to be used as a middle reliever to start the year and move into the rotation during the year.

34.   Koji Morita, who had been a middle reliever, will become a starter and lead the way.

35.   Last week, the team signed right-handed starters Todd Stottlemyre and Armando Reynoso and previously signed veteran left-handed middle reliever Greg Swindell.

36.   Left-handed middle reliever Dan Plesac had an ice pack to cut the swelling in his right eye after receiving a shiner during batting practice.

37.   Middle reliever Xavier Hernandez took over from Helling in the fifth and pitched three scoreless innings, allowing one hit.

38.   Middle relievers such as Powell normally receive three-year contracts.

39.   Middle relievers?