Reliever Black dealt to Mets as 'player to be named'

PITTSBURGH -- Right-hander Vic Black went to the Mets on Thursday as the player to be named later in the Tuesday deal that brought outfielder Marlon Byrd and catcher John Buck to the Pirates.

A relief specialist who has made 116 straight appearances out of the bullpen since 2011, Black had 17 saves and a 2.51 ERA this season with Triple-A Indianapolis. He was an Eastern League All-Star in '12, when he had a 1.65 ERA in 51 appearances with Double-A Altoona.

"The Mets did their homework. They're getting two good pieces," Pirates GM Neal Huntington said at the time the deal was struck, before the second Pittsburgh player in the transaction had been identified.

Infielder Dilson Herrera was the other prospect included in the trade.

Black, the 49th overall selection as a supplemental choice in the 2009 First-Year Player Draft, made his Major League debut on July 25 with the Bucs and appeared in three games, working 2 2/3 innings and allowing one run.