Acquisition of Arodys Vizcaino makes Braves likelier to trade a set-up man - MLB

The Braves made a deal with the Cubs on Friday evening, sending second baseman Tommy La Stella and international signing slot No. 4 to Chicago in exchange for pitcher Arodys Vizcaino and the Cubs’ No. 2, 3, and 4 international signing slots.

While the inclusion of the international signing slots has its own implications — such as the pursuit of free agent Cuban infielder Yoan Moncada — David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution adds that, with Vizcaino now in the mix in the Braves’ bullpen, the club is even likelier to trade a set-up man. Odds are on Jordan Walden or David Carpenter being shopped.

Walden put together a great 2014 campaign for the Braves, finishing with a 2.88 ERA and a 62/27 K/BB ratio over 50 innings. Carpenter was decent as well, putting up a 3.54 ERA with a 67/16 K/BB ratio in 61 innings. Walden is eligible for arbitration for the second time after earning $1.49 million this past season, while Carpenter is arbitration-eligible for the first time after taking home $532,500.

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PITTSBURGH — The New York Mets will have to dig out of an early-season hole without star first baseman Pete Alonso.

The leading home run hitter in the majors will miss three-to-four weeks with a bone bruise and a sprain in his left wrist.

The Mets placed Alonso on the 10-day injured list Friday, retroactive to June 8. Alonso was hit in the wrist by a 96 mph fastball from Charlie Morton in the first inning of a 7-5 loss to Atlanta on Wednesday.

Alonso traveled to New York for testing on Thursday. X-rays revealed no broken bones, but the Mets will be missing one of the premier power hitters in the game as they try to work their way back into contention in the NL East.

“We got better news than it could have been,” New York manager Buck Showalter said. “So we take that as a positive. It could have been worse.”

New York had lost six straight heading into a three-game series at Pittsburgh that began Friday. Mark Canha started at first for the Mets in the opener. Mark Vientos could also be an option, though Showalter said the coaching staff may have to use its “imagination” in thinking of ways to get by without Alonso.

“I’m not going to say someone has to step up and all that stuff,” Showalter said. “You’ve just got to be who you are.”

Even with Alonso in the lineup, the Mets have struggled to score consistently. New York is 16th in the majors in runs scored.

The team also said Friday that reliever Edwin Uceta had surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. Uceta initially went on the IL in April with what the team called a sprained left ankle. He is expected to be out for at least an additional eight weeks.

New York recalled infielder Luis Guillorme and left-handed reliever Zach Muckenhirn from Triple-A Syracuse. The Mets sent catcher Tomás Nido to Triple-A and designated reliever Stephen Nogosek for assignment.

Nogosek is 0-1 with a 5.63 ERA in 13 games this season.