Gonzalez

Germen

He’s now on the 40-man roster. Germen posted a 4.34 ERA with 121 strikeouts over 153 1/3 innings across three levels for the Mets in 2012.

Germen went unused in his brief stint with the big club earlier this month. He’ll fill a middle relief role.

No word yet on the corresponding roster move. Germen, 25, owns a 5.70 ERA and 48/10 K/BB ratio over 42 2/3 innings this season in Triple-A. It appears the Mets simply want a fresh arm for the bullpen.

Germen got the nod for the save chance Thursday with LaTroy Hawkins (groin) unavailable. The 25-year-old right-hander allowed no hits and two walks while striking out three. He now owns a 2.60 ERA and 18/10 K/BB ratio over 17 1/3 innings with the big club this season. While Hawkins should get the closer gig back as soon as he’s ready, Germen is quietly carving out a niche in the Mets’ bullpen.

Hawkins took a comebacker to the groin during Wednesday’s appearance and remains sore. He should be fine in a day or two, but Mets manager Terry Collins said he could use Gonzalez Germen or David Aardsma in a potential save chance Thursday.

He put up a 5.31 ERA over 40 appearances for the Rockies. Matt Carasiti has replaced him in the bullpen.

Germen cleared waivers after being designated for assignment on Friday. The 28-year-old owns a 4.63 ERA over 129 appearances in the majors.

The Rockies just picked up Germen off waivers from the Cubs. While pitching for Triple-A Iowa, he held a 5-1 record and a 3.78 ERA. He had been throwing exclusively in a relief role, so Friday’s start could be on the shorter side of things.

Germen was designated for assignment by the Cubs over the weekend. The 27-year-old will serve as bullpen depth in the minors.

Germen posted a 3.78 ERA in 24 relief outings for Triple-A Iowa and also had a brief stint with the Cubs in April. The 27-year-old has now been designated for assignment four times since December.