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Mets acquire Loney from Padres to fill 1st-base void

Stacy Revere / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The New York Mets, desperate for help at first base with Lucas Duda injured, have solved their problem for the time being by acquiring veteran first baseman James Loney for cash considerations, the team announced Saturday.

Loney had been playing with the San Diego Padres' Triple-A affiliate, the El Paso Chihuahuas, this season. His minor-league deal contained an opt-out clause allowing him to leave the San Diego organization for a major-league job.

The 32-year-old was so excited to join the Mets that his tweet confirming the news beat the official announcement by nearly one hour.

Since Duda's injury, New York has been forced to use backup infielder Eric Campbell at first base, and middle infielder Wilmer Flores has also been playing the position on his rehab assignment. Because of the lack of depth at first, the team had been linked to Loney over the past week, with one report stating scouts watched him in Triple-A this week.

Related: Alderson says Mets will look at external 1B options

The Mets want him to be a left-handed option that can fill the gap until Duda returns from his back injury, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.

Loney has posted a .342/.373/.424 line with two homers in 43 games with El Paso this year. The 10-year veteran spent the last three years with the Tampa Bay Rays before being released by the team in March. He owns a career .285/.338/.411 line with 99 home runs across 1,343 games with the Rays, Boston Red Sox, and Los Angeles Dodgers.

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