Press Release on Purchase of IF Javier Castillo

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 14, 2009

Mets Acquire INF Javier Castillo from White Sox

Mets Release Bisons OF Jason Cooper

The New York Mets today announced that they have acquired INF Javier Castillo from the Chicago White Sox. Castillo has been activated to the Buffalo Bisons roster and is scheduled to be in uniform for today’s 1:05 p.m. game against the Charlotte Knights at Coca-Cola Field.

To make roster room, the Mets have released OF Jason Cooper.

Castillo, 25, has spent the entire season with Charlotte (AAA) and has hit .262 (44-168) with 11 doubles, two triples, two home runs and 15RBI in 47 games. Castillo has averaged .348 (16-46) off left-handed pitchers and .316 (12-38) with runners in scoring position.

Castillo was a non-roster invitee to White Sox camp this spring. Originally signed by Chicago-AL as a non-drafted free agent on January 9, 2002, he has hit .261 (591-2,267) with 39 home runs and 291RBI in 647 career minor league games (all in the White Sox system). Last season, he averaged .288 (141-489) with eight home runs and 76RBI in 130 games between Birmingham (AA) and Charlotte (AAA). His 10 triples led all White Sox farmhands.

Cooper played 26 games with the Bisons this year to add to his Buffalo Modern Era record for games played (now 436). His 20 Bisons triples are tied for the most in the Modern Era while the outfielder ranks second in doubles (85), RBI (226) and runs scored (209), fifth in hits (342) and sixth in home runs (49).

In 2009, Cooper hit .169 (11-65) with four doubles, a triple and four RBI with the Bisons.