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.

Durham sent nine men to the plate to break out of a 2-2 tie with a five run ninth inning to knock off Buffalo 7-2 Saturday night.

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The Bisons and Bulls meet in the series finale on Sunday afternoon at 1:05 when Brandon Knight and Wade Davis take the ball.

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TODAY’S GAME: Tonight, the Buffalo Bisons host the Durham Bulls in the third game of a four-game set at Coca-Cola Field (7:05 p.m.). The Herd is now up 2-0 in the set after an outstanding performance by LHP Jonathon Niese, who held Durham scoreless in his 7.1 innings of Buffalo’s 1-0 win last night. Following this series, the Bisons will travel to Syracuse for a three-game in two day set with the Chiefs.

OH NELLY: RHP Nelson Figueroa will take the mound tonight in search of his third consecutive win. Figueroa is coming off two terrific starts in which he went seven-plus innings allowing only one earned run in each outing. The 35-year-old has been the Herd’s most consistent starter this season by throwing at least six innings in seven of his nine starts. Figueroa leads the Bisons pitching staff with six quality starts.

FEELIN’ SULLY: OF Cory Sullivan has averaged .366 (26-71) in his last 18 games. The outfielder has nine multi-hit efforts since May 22 as well as 10 runs scored. The stretch has raised his average 67 points from .202 to .269. Sullivan’s 47 hits are second on the Bisons club (OF Jesus Feliciano, 56).
DONE LIKE DESSENS: RHP Elmer Dessens picked up his ninth save of the year last night by throwing 1.2 innings of scoreless relief while striking out four. The veteran’s nine saves are tied for seventh in the International League, four behind leader RHP Jim Miller of Norfolk.

ONE’S ENOUGH: Buffalo’s 1-0 last night was their second such win in the last seven games. The Herd beat Norfolk, 1-0, on June 4 as four Bisons pitchers combined on a three-hitter. Buffalo had two 1-0 wins all of last season.

NIESE-LY DONE: LHP Jonathon Niese turned in his best start of the season last night to earn his first win of the 2009 campaign. The southpaw threw 7.1 scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and striking out seven. The Mets #1 pitching prospect took a no-hitter into the sixth inning when OF Rashad Eldridge hit a clean, two-out double down the right field line. Niese lowered his ERA from 7.36 to 6.31 with his performance last night.

The Bisons received the best outing of the season from Jonathon Niese on Friday night, leading the Bisons to a 1-0 win over Durham. The southpaw took a no-hit bid into the sixth before Rashad Eldridge doubled, one of two hits allowed.

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Elmer Dessens worked the final 1 2/3 to preserve the win, while striking out the side in the top of the ninth. Dessens has converted his last nine save opportunities.

The Bisons posted their second shutout in the last six games and have take a 2-0 series lead over the Bulls.

Buffalo returns to action on Saturday at 7:05 p.m. against Durham.

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TODAY’S GAME: Tonight, the Buffalo Bisons host the Durham Bulls in the second game of a four-game set at Coca-Cola Field (7:35 p.m.). The Bisons are now 2-3 this homestand after an offensive explosion earned them a 13-5 victory yesterday afternoon. Following this series, the Bisons will travel to Syracuse for a three-game in two day set with the Chiefs.

BATS HEAT UP: The Bisons had their best offensive performance of the season in their 13-5 victory yesterday. Four different players had multi-hit games including four hits from OF Cory Sullivan (2B, 2R, 2RBI). The team went 6-19 with runners in scoring position (.316) and drew seven walks to only one strikeout. All nine Bisons that started the game scored a run.

BIG WILY STYLE: OF Wily Mo Pena continued his hot streak recording two doubles and three RBI in yesterday’s win. Since May 23, Pena has averaged .333 (19-57) with three home runs and 11RBI. In this time period his overall batting average has increased by 62 points to .262.

FOUR’S JUST FINE: OF Cory Sullivan recorded the Bisons second four-hit game this season. OF Jesus Feliciano went 4-6 on April 14 against Scranton/WB. Sullivan has nine multi-hit performances in his last 17 games.

ROSTER MOVE: The Mets have selected the contract of Bisons LHP Jon Switzer. The southpaw was 0-2 with a 2.13ERA in 21 games out of the Buffalo bullpen. He allowed just 21 hits while striking out 29 in 25.1 innings of work. The Mets needed an arm after placing RHP John Maine on the D.L. today.

COACHING MOVE: The Herd welcomed in new Hitting Coach Bill Masse to the organization yesterday. Masse held the same position with Binghamton (AA). Prior to 2009, Masse compiled a 610-560 record in nine seasons as a minor league manager.

BULLY FOR THE PEN: RHP Adam Bostick has not allowed a run in four outings (6.0IP) since joining the Herd. RHP Tim McNab recorded the win yesterday and has only allowed one earned run in his last 13.1 innings pitched. RHP Eddie Kuntz has allowed one earned run with six strikeouts and only one walk in his last 9.2 innings pitched.