Confirming what was speculated earlier, the Mets have officially announced that they have optioned 2B/SS Jordanny Valdespin to the minor leagues along with OF Adam Loewen. LHP Garrett Olson, C Lucas May, C Rob Johnson and OF Matt den Dekker. All are expected to start the season with Triple-A Buffalo.

Of the group, only Valdespin spent time with the Bisons last season. The infielder was promoted to the Herd on August 10 and hit .280 (30-107) with two home runs, nine RBI and four stolen bases in 27 games with Buffalo. In 107 games with Double-A Binghamton, the 24-year old hit .297 (120-404) with 24 doubles, 15 home runs, 51 RBI and 33 stolen bases.

Yesterday, Sandy Alderson said Valdespin would play a variety of positions at Buffalo.

“He’s got some real talent. He can do a lot of things that some of our other players cannot. He can run. He can play any of the positions up the middle so he has great versatility. He can be a very valuable player to us. I don’t think he’s going to be on the club immediately. But, I do think he does have a future with us and it could be in more than a utility role.

Loewen spent the majority of the 2011 season with Toronto’s Triple-A affiliate in Las Vegas and hit .306 (159-520) with 46 doubles, 17 home runs and 85 RBI in 134 games. His 46 doubles were the sixth most in all of minor league baseball last season. He had his contract selected on September 7 and played in 14 games with the Blue Jays, hitting .188 (6-32) with a home run and four RBI.

Olson split last season between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Indianapolis Indians. The southpaw made the Pirates’ 2011 Opening Day roster and was 1-1 with a 2.08 ERA in four relief appearances before being designated for assignment. He was 4-3 with a 3.05 ERA in 24 games and 15 starts for Indianapolis.

May split last season between Triple-A Omaha and Reno of the Pacific Coast League. In 77 games combined, the catcher hit .238 (59-248) with 10 home runs and 44RBI.

Johnson played 67 games with the San Diego Padres in 2011 and hit .190 (34-179) with three home runs and 16RBI. Johnson has 228 big league games to his credit, spending parts of four seasons in Seattle, 2007-2010.

den Dekker was the Mets 5th round pick in the 2010 draft and is entering his third season as a professional. He split last season between Single-A St. Lucie and Double-A Binghamton and hit .265 (143-539) with 17 home runs, 68 RBI and 24 stolen bases in 139 games.

Earlier today,  the Mets told C Mike Nickeas and OF Mike Baxter they had made the opening day roster.

Original Post 3:30 PM

Adam Rubin of ESPN says Mike Baxter, Mike Nickeas and Daniel Herrera “remain solid” for the Opening Day roster, with the only potential disruption a late, late pickup by the organization or Tim Byrdak being ready for next Thursday’s season opener against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field.

He also adds that “unofficially”, catchers Rob Johnson and Lucas May, left-hander Garrett Olson, infielderJordany Valdespin and outfielders Adam Loewen and Matt den Dekker have been told they are headed to minor league camp.

It’s only a matter of days now. There’s not much in the rumor mill seriously tying the Mets to any significant add-ons via free agency. Look’s like they’re good to go.