PHILADELPHIA — The struggling New York Mets made a pair of moves to address their underperforming pitching staff Friday, optioning Tylor Megill to Triple-A Syracuse and also acquiring minor league pitchers Coleman Crow and Landon Marceaux in a trade with the Los Angeles Angels.
The Angels received veteran third baseman Eduardo Escobar in the deal along with cash considerations. Escobar, 34, fills a need for the Angels at third base with oft-injured Anthony Rendon sidelined due to a bruised left wrist and Gio Urshela likely to miss the season with a broken pelvis.
A 13-year veteran, he is hitting .236 with four home runs and 16 RBIs this season. Megill is 6-4 with a 5.17 ERA in 15 starts for the Mets this season.
He gave up 4 runs, 5 hits and 4 walks in 2⅓ innings Wednesday as New York lost 10-8 in Houston. «Command has been the biggest issue,» manager Buck Showalter said before Friday night's game against the Philadelphia Phillies.