Mets get help at first base, acquire Loney from Padres

The New York Mets have found help at first base following Lucas Duda’s injury, acquiring veteran James Loney from the San Diego Padres for cash.

Loney, 32, has spent this season in the minors, playing well for Triple-A El Paso. He was batting .342 with two home runs and 28 RBIs over 43 games in the Pacific Coast League.

Always a fine fielder, Loney hit .280 with four homers, 16 doubles and 32 RBIs in 104 games with Tampa Bay last year. The Rays released him April 3, and he signed with the Padres on April 8.

Duda was put on the disabled list Monday with a stress fracture in his lower back that is expected to sideline him at least four to six weeks.

Until Duda returns, Mets manager Terry Collins said Loney, a left-handed hitter, will mostly face right-handed pitching in a first-base platoon with Wilmer Flores and Eric Campbell.

Loney is a .285 career hitter in the majors with 99 home runs, 251 doubles and a .338 on-base percentage with the Dodgers, Rays and Red Sox.

BLUE JAYS — Toronto placed shortstop Troy Tulowitzki on the 15day disabled list with a right quadriceps injury.

The 31-year-old five-time All-Star batting .204 this season, with eight home runs and 23 RBIs. Ryan Goins and Darwin Barney are expected to split time at shortstop until Tulowitzki returns.

The Blue Jays called up left-handed reliever Aaron Loup, 28, from Triple-A Buffalo to take Tulowitzki’s spot on the roster.