Astros trade Hidalgo to Mets for pitchers

Houston — Hoping to help their sagging offense, the New York Mets acquired outfielder Richard Hidalgo from Houston on Thursday for right-handers David Weathers and Jeremy Griffiths. The Mets also get $4 million from the Astros as part of the deal to offset the difference in salaries.

Hidalgo recently lost his starting job to Jason Lane and asked to be traded. He was batting .256, a huge drop-off from last year’s .309 average.

Weathers is 5-3 with a 4.28 ERA. Griffiths was 5-2 with a 3.47 ERA at Triple-A Norfolk.

Cards to activate catcher

St. Louis — Mike Matheny passed a final test Thursday, a heavy dose of hitting and throwing, and the St. Louis Cardinals likely will activate their two-time Gold Glove catcher today. Matheny has been on the 15-day disabled list since June 3 with a strained muscle under his right rib cage.