Justin

Hampson

Hampson, 26, is making his major league debut. The left-hander has often had solid minor league numbers, but the Rockies dropped him from their 40-man roster in Dec. 2004 and no one thought he was worth a waiver claim. He helped his stock by going 8-4 with a 3.33 ERA, 121 H and 95/39 K/BB in 121 2/3 IP for Colorado Springs, but he’s probably a middle reliever at best.

Hampson made three appearances with the Mets earlier this season. He’ll function as a third lefty out of the bullpen along with rookies Josh Edgin and Robert Carson.

Hampson hasn’t appeared in a major league game since the 2008 season, when he was a member of the Padres. The southpaw was rocking a 1.79 ERA and 41/15 K/BB ratio in 40 1/3 innings this season at the Triple-A level. He should do fine in middle relief.

Jordany Valdespin was called up from Triple-A Buffalo in a corresponding roster move. Hampson made three appearances during his brief stay with the big club and could pass through waivers unclaimed.

Hampson was outrighted off the Mets’ 40-man roster after allowing four runs (two earned) in 10 innings with the big club this season. He’ll likely wind up with a spring training invite somewhere.

The deal does not carry an invitation to spring training. Hampson, 32, registered a promising 2.33 ERA across 65 2/3 innings last season with Triple-A Buffalo. He will function as organizational relief depth in 2013.

Hampson, 24, went 10-9 with a 3.49 ERA, 176 H and 104/63 K/BB in 170 1/3 IP for Double-A Tulsa last season. He’s posted sub-4.00 ERAs at every level, but no team thought he had enough upside to be worth a waiver claim. At best, he’s a fifth starter or a middle reliever.

A tough break for Hampson, who has a 2.30 ERA in 27 1/3 innings for the Padres. The team is picking Royce Ring over him for now.