NEW YORK (AP) — Left-hander Tim Byrdak has agreed to a minor league contract with the New York Mets.

The 27-year-old was 2-2 with a 3.49 ERA in 64 relief appearances for the Houston Astros last season, holding lefty hitters to a .213 batting average.

He has a 9-10 career record in nine big league seasons, making 343 relief appearances.

New York also hired former Mets second baseman Tim Teufel as manager of its Triple-A team at Buffalo. He managed the Mets’ Double-A Binghamton team last year.

Teufel’s staff will include pitching coach Ricky Bones and hitting coach Mike Easler.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)