Had a shoulder issue not arose in spring training and landed him on the disabled list, Pedro Beato appeared ticketed for Triple-A Buffalo to open the season.

Now, when he is eligible to be activated from the 60-day DL on Sunday, Beato could find himself in the major league bullpen -- or, at least, shortly thereafter.

Beato has now made five relief appearances in the minors on an official rehab assignment, the past two with Triple-A Buffalo.

Having seemingly demonstrated the shoulder issue is behind him, had Mets officials been intent on keeping Beato in the minors, they likely would have taken him off the rehab assignment and optioned him to Buffalo -- allowing the club to pay a minor league salary and preventing Beato from accruing more major league service time. Because Beato officially remains a rehabbing major leaguer, a team official acknowledged it is fair to deduce he likely will join the major league club at some point soon after he is eligible next weekend.

Beato, 25, had a 4.30 ERA in 60 relief appearances for the Mets last season. He had to remain at the major league level for the entire 2011 season because he was a Rule 5 pick from the Baltimore Orioles and otherwise had to be offered back. Now, he is officially Mets property and those provisions no longer are in effect.