Mets Get Rojas for Bullpen Help

Intent on strengthening their bullpen for the stretch run, the New York Mets are counting on Mel Rojas to be everything the Chicago Cubs thought he would be.

Rojas, who has struggled most of the season as the Cub closer, was traded with reliever Turk Wendell and outfielder Brian McRae to New York on Friday for center fielder Lance Johnson and two players to be designated.

WGN, the Cubs’ flagship radio station, reported that pitcher Mark Clark and infielder Manny Alexander are the other two players in the trade. Neither team would confirm that.

“We feel we are a team that can make a run for the playoffs,” Steve Phillips said after his first trade since taking over as general manager of the Mets on July 16.

Rojas signed a $13.75-million, three-year contract with Chicago in the off-season. But he has saved only 13 games and blown six opportunities, and is 0-4 with a 4.42 earned-run average.

Johnson, in his second season with the Mets, is hitting .309 with 15 steals and six triples. McRae, batting .240 with 28 steals, will take over Johnson’s leadoff spot.

While John Franco will remain the Mets’ closer, Manager Bobby Valentine now has more options with Rojas, who had 36 saves in 40 opportunities with Montreal last season.

“You just know he’ll go to the Mets and not give up a run,” Cub first baseman Mark Grace said. “Just like it always happens here.”

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The San Francisco Giants claimed left-handed starter Terry Mulholland (6-12, 4.07 ERA) off waivers from the Cubs. Mulholland, who broke in with the Giants in 1986 and is in his third stint with the club, will be used as a relief pitcher.