Angels manager Mike Scioscia said Jason Isringhausen will be used in a setup role this season alongside LaTroy Hawkins and Scott Downs. "Jason is going to slot in with LaTroy Hawkins and Scott Downs [in a setup role]," Scioscia said. "We talk about that pyramid of guys getting to the closer [Jordan Walden]. It's a little broader right now." Izzy signed a minor league deal, but it sounds like Scioscia has already penciled him into an important role in the bullpen. The veteran reliever posted a 4.05 ERA and 44/24 K/BB ratio over 46 2/3 innings last season for the Mets.

Jason Isringhausen said Thursday that he has dropped 25 pounds this winter. Isringhausen signed a minor league contract with the Angels on Wednesday. Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports that his contract is worth between $700,000 and $1 million in guaranteed money if he makes the Opening Day roster. He could earn more with incentives based on appearances. The 38-year-old right-hander posted a 4.05 ERA and 44/24 K/BB ratio over 46 2/3 innings and stands a good chance to win a bullpen spot.

Angels signed RHP Jason Isringhausen to a minor league contract. Isringhausen struggled mightily to attract free agent interest this offseason despite posting a decent 4.05 ERA and 44/24 K/BB ratio across 46 2/3 innings last year for the Mets. He'll presumably get a shot at claiming an Opening Day bullpen spot in Halos camp this spring.

According to Dan Martin of the New York Post, the Mets don't expect to re-sign Jason Isringhausen. The Mets haven't ruled anything out, but a return is unlikely after the club upgraded their bullpen this offseason. "There probably isn't a fit for him here," Martin was told by a source. "He's been talking to other teams, and we think he'll wind up elsewhere." Isringhausen, 39, posted a 4.05 ERA, seven saves and a 44/24 over 46 2/3 innings in 2011. He's currently sitting on 300 career saves.

Mets manager Terry Collins said Jason Isringhausen (back) could be ready to pitch by the end of this week. Izzy has a slipped disk in his back and experienced leg numbness after receiving an epidural last week to help the back issue. He's likely to be used in a setup role when he returns, with Bobby Parnell and Manny Acosta continuing to handle the ninth inning.

Jason Isringhausen (back) said Tuesday that he is not close to returning. Isringhausen received an injection Monday to attempt to alleviate right leg numbness associated with a herniated disc in his lower back. He was able to play catch Tuesday, but his status remains in a state of limbo at the moment. Bobby Parnell and Manny Acosta should continue to get most of the late-inning work in the interim.

Jason Isringhausen won't be available for several days due to a herniated disc in his back. This comes at an interesting time for the Mets' bullpen, as Bobby Parnell has blown two out of his last three save opportunities. If he continues to struggle, Manny Acosta could become a legitimate threat for ninth-inning duties. Isringhausen, 39, has a 4.05 ERA, seven saves and 44/24 K/BB over 46 2/3 innings this season. He notched his 300th career save last month.

Jason Isringhausen was charged with four runs on three hits and a walk in his fifth blown save of the season Saturday against the Brewers. Just plain ugly. Isringhausen failed to record an out before being pulled in favor of Manny Acosta, so his ERA jumped from 3.46 to 4.32 in the loss. Bobby Parnell was used in the top of the eighth inning, before the Mets scored three off Francisco Rodriguez to take the lead, so fantasy owners shouldn't look into Terry Collins' bullpen usage too much. If anything, today's dud from Isringhausen should make it even more clear that it's time for Parnell to shine.

Jason Isringhausen is interested in returning for a 16th major-league season in 2012. "If I feel healthy, I'll have my agent talk to some people and see what kind of interest is out there," Isringhausen said. However, he'll only be back if the price is right. "I'm not coming back for 500 grand again - I know that. But in the same sense I knew coming in, this year wasn't really about the money."

According to Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com, Jason Isringhausen, Tim Byrdak and Scott Hairston will remain with the Mets for the rest of the season. All three players were claimed off waivers and then pulled back by the Mets, which makes them ineligible to be traded this month. As Rubin reported earlier this week, Jason Bay, Chris Capuano, D.J. Carrasco, Willie Harris and Angel Pagan have all cleared waivers and are eligible to be traded to any team.