NEW YORK -- After Carlos Torres forced their hand by exercising a clause in his contract, the Mets have promoted the right-hander from Triple-A Las Vegas.

Greg Burke has been optioned to Vegas, and Collin McHugh designated for assignment to clear a 40-man roster spot.

Torres Torres, 30, exercised an out in his contract Friday. The Mets had 48 hours to promote him or release him.

The reigning Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week, Torres has tossed consecutive complete games with Las Vegas and has won five straight starts. He shaved his ERA from 6.35 to 3.89 during that five-start stretch. Over his past two starts, he has allowed one run on five hits and two walks while striking out 15 in 18 innings.

Torres was a quick castoff to minor league camp during spring training after getting hit hard in Grapefruit League play.

He has major league experience with the Chicago White Sox and Colorado Rockies. Working out of Colorado's bullpen last season, he had a 5.26 ERA in 31 relief appearances.

A source told ESPNNewYork.com that Torres otherwise had interest from the San Francisco Giants and the Rockies, as well as in South Korea.

Torres' addition would seem to mean a bullpen purge is coming.

The Mets also plan to add pitchers Zack Wheeler and likely Scott Atchison on Tuesday, Terry Collins has indicated. The Mets are allowed to carry an extra, 26th player for the doubleheader at Turner Field, but would need to drop another two players by Wednesday assuming Atchison also returns.