Nomo’s Options: Minors or Free Agency

The Mets gave up on right-hander Hideo Nomo by outrighting the former Dodger all-star to triple-A Norfolk. Nomo has 72 hours to accept the assignment or declare himself a free agent.

Nomo, 30, struggled last season and was traded to the Mets in June. He went 4-5 with a 4.82 ERA average in 17 games with New York and was ineffective this spring, going 0-2 with a 7.62 ERA in four appearances.

“He said he understood our decision and acted very professionally,� General Manager Steve Phillips said. “Of course, he doesn’t show a lot of emotion anyway.�

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Nomar Garciaparra’s ailing right elbow should heal completely and he should resume playing shortstop soon for the Boston Red Sox, according to team physician Arthur Pappas. . . . Shades of Kerry Wood: Cub reliever Terry Adams was scratched from Wednesday’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers pending results of an MRI. The right-hander, who had 18 saves two years ago but struggled with his control last year, had a “dead arm� after pitching last week. . . . The Cincinnati Reds put starting left-handed pitcher Denny Neagle, right-hander Scott Winchester and reliever Stan Belinda on the 15-day disabled list because of shoulder problems. . . . Randy Johnson might miss his next exhibition start because of a twinge in his left groin, Arizona Diamondback Manager Buck Showalter said. . . . South Korean pitcher Byung-Hyun Kim is guaranteed $2.4 million under the four-year contract the 20-year-old right-hander agreed to with the Diamondbacks.