Benitez Is Sent to Yankees by Mets for Three Players

Armando Benitez, the New York Mets’ closer since 1999 and the team’s only All-Star this year, was dealt across town to the Yankees Wednesday and will become the setup man for Mariano Rivera.

The Mets got right-handers Jason Anderson, Anderson Garcia and Ryan Bicondoa.

Benitez, 30, became the target of boos because of his role in the Mets’ collapse.

“I know in this town some failures get magnified and talked about,” Yankee General Manager Brian Cashman said. “I think a change of scenery will do him good.”

The right-hander, eligible for free agency after the season, is 3-3 with a 3.10 earned-run average in 45 games, with seven blown saves in 28 chances. He has 197 saves in his career.

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Minnesota acquired outfielder Shannon Stewart and a player to be named from Toronto for outfielder Bobby Kielty. Stewart is batting .294 with seven homers and 35 runs batted in. Kielty is batting .252 with nine homers and 32 RBIs.

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Houston activated infielder Jeff Kent, who sat out 23 games because of tendinitis in his left wrist, from the 15-day disabled list.... Seattle first baseman Greg Colbrunn had arthroscopic surgery Tuesday for torn cartilage in his right wrist and is expected to be out four to six weeks

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Minnie Minoso, 77, became the first player to play professional baseball in seven decades when he was the designated hitter for the St. Paul Saints of the independent Northern League in a home game against Gary. He walked in the first inning.