NEW YORK -- Kelly Johnson is back with the New York Mets.
The Mets acquired the utilityman from the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday for right-hander Akeel Morris.
As part of the deal, the Braves will pay the Mets $450,000 on Aug. 1 to cover part of the $1,267,760 remaining of Johnson's $2 million salary.
The 34-year-old was hitting .215 (26 for 121) with six doubles, one homer and 10 RBIs this season, starting 23 games at second, four in left and one at first. He was in his third stint with the Braves, who traded him to the Mets last July 24.
New York has been seeking to bolster its roster following injuries to third baseman David Wright and first baseman Lucas Duda.
Pirates: Prospect Taillon to make debut
PITTSBURGH-- Heralded prospect Jameson Taillon makes his major league debut for the Pirates against the Mets.
Taillon had Tommy John surgery in 2014 and returned this season to Triple-A, where he has a 2.04 ERA and a 61-to-6 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Manager Clint Hurdle says he isn't sure if Taillon will remain with the team beyond this outing. "Some of it is in his control and some of it isn't," Hurdle said. "We'll see what happens."
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Taillon shares the mound with Noah Syndergaard (6-2, 1.91) in his debut.
Reds: Historic site opens at Cincinnati Reds' former home
CINCINNATI -- The Crosley Field Historic Site opened Wednesday on property where the Cincinnati Reds played for decades, with a colorful mural and replicas meant to jog memories and imaginations.
A replica light tower on the property, just west of Interstate 75, also reminds visitors that Major League Baseball's first night game was played there in 1935. The Cincinnati Reds beat the Philadelphia Phillies 2-1.
Team historian Greg Rhodes has taken people on informal tours of the property for years. But the addition of the large mural depicting 1950s Crosley, replica foul poles, seats and base markers, and historical photos provide more to see.
"You really have to use your imagination," Rhodes conceded as he led dozens of fans on a tour Wednesday. "But this will help bring it to life."
The usual free tour will be self-guided, with brochures available at the City Gospel Mission, located on part of the property that was once Crosley Field before it was demolished and paved over for business uses.
The Reds played in Crosley 1912-1970, an era that includes four Reds' World Series appearances and star players such as Frank Robinson, Pete Rose and Johnny Bench. Rhodes said many of baseball's other greatest players, from Babe Rush to Hank Aaron, also played at Crosley. He noted that the mural's scoreboard shows the Reds beating the rival Dodgers 16-4, an actual game score in the `50s.
The Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and Museum is funding most of the costs and is selling personalized bricks for the site.
