Mets trade former ace to Reds

CINCINNATI — Matt Harvey is getting another chance, this time with a historically bad team in a city that will have far fewer late-night temptations than the Big Apple. The Mets are getting a catcher who can help at their most unsettled position.

The Cincinnati Reds acquired former New York ace Matt Harvey for catcher Devin Mesoraco on Tuesday, shortly before the teams started their game at Great American Ball Park. The deal provided a fresh start for two former All-Stars whose careers have been sidetracked by injuries.

Mesoraco merely had to walk to the visiting clubhouse and was on the bench for the first pitch by Luis Castillo, which Mesoraco originally supposed to catch.

The Mets created a spot for him to play immediately when they put third baseman Todd Frazier was put on the 10-day disabled list with a strained left hamstring. Harvey is in Los Angeles working out and will join the team for the start of a series there against the Dodgers on Thursday.

The Mets lost starting catcher Travis d’Arnaud to season-ending Tommy John surgery last month, so Mesoraco gives them another option.

“We feel fortunate that we were able to add a veteran guy who’s good in the clubhouse who can play a couple of days a week,” said J.P. Ricciardi, a Mets special assistant. “We talked to Jay (Bruce) and Todd (Frazier) about him.”

The Reds included $5,788,978 as part of the trade, which made the deal come out nearly even financially. Harvey is making $5,625,000 on a one-year contract. Mesoraco gets $13 million in the final season on a four-year, $28 million deal.

The 29-year-old Harvey was designated for assignment on Saturday, giving the Mets seven days to trade or release him when he refused a demotion to the minors. Harvey was 0-2 with a 7.00 ERA this season.