Fernandez Traded to Blue Jays : Baseball: Mets deal All-Star shortstop to former team, get Darrin Jackson in return.

The floundering New York Mets gave up on All-Star shortstop Tony Fernandez, trading him to the Toronto Blue Jays for outfielder Darrin Jackson on Friday.

Both were with the San Diego Padres last season.

Fernandez, a four-time All-Star who played for Toronto from 1983-1990, was traded to the Padres with first baseman Fred McGriff for outfielder Joe Carter and second baseman Roberto Alomar on Dec. 5, 1990.

After two seasons with San Diego, Fernandez, a .285 lifetime hitter, was dealt to the Mets on Oct. 26, 1992, for pitcher Wally Whitehurst and outfielder D.J. Dozier.

Injured for part of this season, Fernandez did not prosper with the struggling Mets, batting only .225 with one home run, 14 runs batted in and six stolen bases.

With Toronto, Fernandez, who will be 31 on June 30, twice hit .300--.310 in 1986 and .322 in 1987--and was a key player in the Blue Jays twice winning the American League East.

Fernandez was an All-Star in 1986, ’87 and ’89 with Toronto and last year with San Diego.

“I’ve known Tony for a long time and even though I haven’t seen him play for a few years, I know he can still play,” Toronto Manager Cito Gaston said.

Jackson, 29, was a bust in his short stay with the Blue Jays. After being acquired from San Diego this year for outfielder Derek Bell, Jackson hit only .216 in 46 games with five homers and 19 RBIs.

“It didn’t work out for Darrin here. Hopefully the new start will get him going,” Gaston said.

In his only two full seasons with the Padres, Jackson hit 21 homers with 49 RBIs in 1991 and 17 homers with 70 RBIs last year.

The Mets also learned Friday that third baseman Howard Johnson has a viral infection and was sent home. Johnson made only a pinch-running appearance Thursday night and is not expected to play this weekend. Johnson, batting .243 with 22 RBIs, will have additional tests today.

Also Friday, the Mets cut veteran left-handed relief pitcher Paul Gibson and called up rookie right-hander Dave Telgheder from their Norfolk, Va., farm club.