Braves reach agreement with Teixeira

Mark Teixeira could be the Atlanta Braves’ new cleanup hitter as early as tonight.

The Braves reached an agreement Monday to send rookie catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia and three minor leagues to Texas for the powerful, switch-hitting Teixeira.

The official announcement of the deal was expected to come today.

The negotiations were confirmed by people familiar with the deal who spoke on condition of anonymity because it wasn’t finalized.

The Braves were set to send Saltalamacchia, slick-fielding shortstop Elvis Andrus and two more minor leaguers to Texas for Teixeira and left-handed reliever Ron Mahay.

The Braves have struggled at first base all season and currently do not have a left-hander in their bullpen.

Texas was believed to be studying medical records on two Braves minor league players before completing the four-for-two exchange.

The Braves also were trying to complete a trade for Kansas City closer Octavio Dotel. Atlanta may be ready to send pitcher Kyle Davies to the Royals.

Today is the deadline for making trades without waivers.

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The New York Mets neatly filled a big hole at second base, acquiring three-time All-Star Luis Castillo from the Minnesota Twins for two prospects.

The 31-year-old Castillo adds speed to a batting order already topped by major league stolen base leader Jose Reyes. A three-time Gold Glove winner, Castillo also should solidify the infield defense.

Minnesota gets catcher Drew Butera and outfielder Dustin Martin.

Castillo is hitting .304 but had only nine steals in 13 attempts and 29 walks in 349 at-bats. He is making $5.75 million and is eligible for free agency after the World Series.

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The Philadelphia Phillies, looking to bolster their pitching in the stretch, obtained right-hander Kyle Lohse from the Cincinnati Reds for minor league left-hander Matt Maloney.

The 28-year-old Lohse is 6-12 with a 4.58 earned-run average in 21 starts this season.

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Seattle Mariners reliever Chris Reitsma says he will have surgery on Thursday to relieve pain in his arthritic right pitching elbow, ending his season in July for the second consecutive year.

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The family of late St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Josh Hancock dropped a wrongful-death lawsuit against Mike Shannon’s restaurant stemming from the player’s death in April.