Jeff Francoeur joins New York Mets after trade, in lineup against Cincinnati Reds

Francoeur joins Mets, in lineup against Reds

NEW YORK — Jeff Francoeur has joined the New York Mets, and is the lineup against the Cincinnati Reds.

The Mets acquired Francoeur and cash from the Atlanta Braves on Friday for Ryan Church in a trade of outfielders in need of a change of scenery.

Francoeur took fly balls in right field before Saturday night’s game and sent a stir through Citi Field with a couple drives into the second deck in left during batting practice.

Francoeur says he’s excited to get a new start in New York and is hoping to bring energy to the slumping Mets. He is batting .250 with five homers and 35 RBIs this season.

Francoeur was batting fifth. His name was misspelled when it was first posted in the lineup outside the clubhouse, but quickly corrected.