Mets Get Gary Matthews Jr From Angles

In an effort to fill the hole in center field that will be left when Carlos Beltran begins the season on the disabled list, the New York Mets have acquired Gary Matthews Jr from the Los Angles Angles for right handed pitcher Brian Stokes.

Matthews is expected to compete for the job in center with Angel Pagan while Beltran works his way back.

Beltran missed nearly 2 1/2 months of 2009 with a painful bone bruise on his right knee. He returned to the line-up in September, but his symptoms returned in the offseason, forcing him back under the knife. He is not expected to be able to resume baseball activities for about 12 weeks.

The Angels agreed to send the Mets $21 million as part of the trade to cover most of the $23 million owed to Matthews in the next two seasons.

Matthews hit .313 with 19 homers and 79 RBIs for Texas in 2006, but slumped last season in Los Angeles.