#Mets bring back Juan Lagares, sign veteran Brian Dozier

The Mets bolstered their veteran depth Wednesday by signing both Lagares and infielder Brian Dozier to minor league contracts and adding them to their player pool. Both were in attendance at Wednesday’s workout. The Mets also released Melky Cabrera and Gordon Beckham, keeping their 60-man player pool at 57.

“Our theme has been to have guys that have experience,” manager Luis Rojas said. “[We’re a] win-now team and everything that we started from the beginning of camp, it stays along those lines. So Brian Dozier, veteran bat, infielder for us, definitely gives us more depth. And Lego, everybody knows him, what he can do in the outfield, what he can do on the bases and also help us with his bat. It’s more depth, more experience in a shorter season.”

After spending seven years with the Mets, the 31-year-old Lagares had signed with the Padres in February. But the 2014 Gold Glove winner became a free agent last week after not being named to the Padres’ player pool.

Dozier, 33, who was also recently released by the Padres, hit .238 with 20 home runs last year for the World Series champion Nationals.

Jed Lowrie saw team physician David Altchek this week to get new imaging as the Mets try to find the source of discomfort in his balky left knee. Rojas said Wednesday Lowrie will also get a second opinion.