Mets acquire Shoppach from Boston

NEW YORK — Catcher Kelly Shoppach was acquired Tuesday by the New York Mets from the Boston Red Sox for a player to be named following a waiver claim.

The 32-year-old Shoppach is hitting .250 with five homers, 12 doubles and 17 RBIs in 48 games. He was signed by Boston as a free agent last December after spending the previous two season with Tampa Bay.

The Mets wanted the right-handed batter for his power against left-handed pitchers, manager Terry Collins said. According to baseball-reference.com, Shoppach has just 492 at-bats against left-handed pitchers in his career, but he has hit 31 home runs.

He has 33 homers in 936 career at-bats against righties.

Josh Thole (.260, one home run, 18 RBIs) was benched twice over the weekend.