NEW YORK -- He is signed, sealed and indefinite. Duaner Sanchez has avoided salary arbitration, that much is certain. A 2007 contract for $850,000 is in place, finalized Thursday, the Mets said. The 27-year-old relief pitcher isn't a certainty for Opening Day, despite his spoken confidence.

"I started a throwing program," the right shoulder surgery patient said in a statement released by the club. "And there is no doubt in my mind I will be 100 percent when the season starts."

The Mets never have expressed doubt about Sanchez's likely readiness. But the club twice has said the reliever had begun throwing -- once in early December and again since the new year. And he apparently had not. There has been no indication of a problem, but there has been precious little said about him.

Sanchez severely separated his right shoulder when he was involved in a taxi accident on July 31 in Miami and underwent season-ending arthroscopic surgery the next day.

The injury denied the Mets the services of the pitcher who had been their most effective reliever to that point and also prompted a trade that undermined the offense. The Mets traded right-handed-hitting outfielder Xavier Nady to the Pirates for reliever Roberto Hernandez.

Whether cause and effect was at work is an imponderable, but the Mets' offense became quite susceptible to left-handed pitching immediately following Nady's departure. Moreover, the acquisition of Hernandez had little effect, because he was used sparingly, and Guillermo Mota, acquired subsequently, pitched many of the innings that might have gone to Hernandez.

That scenario is closed now, and the Mets are rebuilding the 'pen, knowing Mota is suspended for the first 50 games and that Sanchez began throwing later than anticipated and with five weeks remaining before Spring Training.

The rebuilding is likely to continue next week when the club is expected to sign left-handed free-agent reliever Scott Schoenewies. A three-year contract worth $10.8 million is in place, according to a person familiar with the situation, but the Mets wouldn't confirm the deal.

Schoeneweis' presence seemingly would reduce the likelihood of Pedro Feliciano retaining a place in the bullpen once Mota returns. The Mets likely would carry Billy Wagner, Aaron Heilman, recent acquisition Ambiorix Burgos, Sanchez, Mota and a long reliever -- possibly Dave Williams. The ability of Heilman and Mota to deal with left-handed hitters could make Feliciano unnecessary.

"One of the main reasons why we accomplished what we did last year was because of our bullpen," general manager Omar Minaya said in the statement about Sanchez. "Duaner was a big part of our success, and having him healthy again is certainly a big plus for us as we look forward to 2007."

Sanchez went 5-1 with a 2.60 ERA in 49 appearances in 2006. He allowed 43 hits and 24 walks in 55 1/3 innings, striking out 44.

Schoeneweis, 33, was 4-2 and produced a composite 4.88 ERA in 71 appearances -- 51 2/3 innings -- with the Blue Jays and Reds last season.