NEW YORK -- The Mets have acquired infielder Anderson Hernandez from the Washington Nationals for minor league infielder Greg Veloz.
The 26-year-old Hernandez had stints with the Mets each of the previous four seasons. He was dealt to the Nationals last Aug. 20 to complete a trade in which New York acquired pitcher Luis Ayala. Hernandez batted .138 in 35 career games with the Mets with one homer and three RBIs. He is hitting .251 in 231 at-bats this year with nine doubles, one homer and 23 RBIs.
The 21-year-old Veloz is batting .232 with 15 doubles, two homers, 19 RBIs and 18 steals for Class A St. Lucie. The switch-hitter will report to Potomac of the Class A Carolina League.
New York also put left-hander Jonathon Niese on the 60-day disabled list Thursday with a torn right hamstring, an injury sustained a day earlier against St. Louis. Niese will miss the rest of the season and was scheduled for surgery Thursday.
The Mets purchased the contract of right-hander Elmer Dessens from Triple-A Buffalo of the International League. He has no record and a 3.65 ERA with the Mets in nine appearances this year and was 3-2 with a 2.31 ERA and 11 saves in 27 games for Buffalo.
Washington recalled right-hander Saul Rivera from Triple-A Syracuse of the International League.
The 31-year-old Rivera was 0-1 with an 8.49 ERA in 10 games for the Nationals, then was optioned to the minors on April 20. He was 2-5 with two saves and a 3.55 ERA for Syracuse.