Pittsburgh, PA – The Pittsburgh Pirates, in the middle of a fierce battle for the NL Central crown, strengthened their roster on Tuesday, acquiring outfielder Marlon Byrd and catcher John Buck from the New York Mets.
The Pirates, who also received cash considerations, sent minor league infielder Dilson Herrera and a player to be named later to the Mets.
Byrd, three days shy of his 36th birthday, is having one of the better seasons of his career. He batted .285 in 117 games and was leading the Mets in both home runs (21) and RBI (71).
Buck has cooled off considerably following a hot start to the season. The 33- year-old hit .215 with 15 homers and 60 RBI over 101 games.
Herrera, 19, was batting .265 with 11 homers, 27 doubles and 56 RBI in 109 games with Single-A West Virginia of the South Atlantic League at the time of the trade.
To make room for Byrd and Buck on the 40-man roster, the Pirates designated infielder Russ Canzler for assignment and placed pitcher Kyle McPherson (right elbow surgery) on the 60-day disabled list after recalling him from Triple-A Indianapolis.
The Mets, meanwhile, selected the contract of outfielder Matt den Dekker and recalled catcher Anthony Recker from Triple-A Las Vegas to fill the roster spots.
New York also placed starting pitcher Matt Harvey on the 15-day DL and recalled pitcher Robert Carson from Las Vegas.
Harvey, a stellar second year starter, has a partial tear of the ulnar collateral ligament of his right elbow and may be headed for Tommy John surgery.
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