NEW YORK (AP) — All-Star pitcher Marcus Stroman was acquired by his hometown Mets from the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday for a pair of minor league prospects, a trade that makes it likely New York will deal away one of its current starters by Wednesday’s deadline.

A 28-year-old right-hander who made his first All-Star team this season, Stroman is 6-11 in 21 starts despite a 2.96 ERA that is fifth-best in the American League. He is eligible for arbitration next winter and can become a free agent after the 2020 season.

Toronto received two of New York’s top pitching prospects in 24-year-old left-hander Anthony Kay and 18-year-old righty Simeon Woods Richardson. As part of the swap, the Mets get $1.5 million from the Blue Jays to offset much of the $2,506,452 remaining on Stroman’s $7.4 million salary this year.

The 5-foot-7 Stroman is 47-45 with a 3.76 ERA in six big league seasons. He grew up on Long Island near Mets starter Steven Matz, about 50 miles from Citi Field.

“Marcus is a dynamic talent who will bring tremendous passion to our team and energy our fans will truly appreciate,” first-year general manager Brodie Van Wagenen said in a statement. “As a Long Island native, we believe that Marcus will thrive playing in New York.”

With reports emerging that the deal was close to completion, Stroman posted a tweet that read: “Toronto, I love you…forever!” It was followed by a Canadian flag.

New York (50-55) is six games back in the NL wild-card race, with six teams ahead for the two spots, after a four-game winning streak that boosted the Mets to 10-5 since the All-Star break. With the trade deadline coming up and Stroman now in the fold, New York seems likely to ship off at least one member of its current rotation, which includes Matz, Noah Syndergaard, Zack Wheeler, Jason Vargas and NL Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom.

Syndergaard, Wheeler and perhaps Vargas appear the most probable candidates.

Wheeler can become a free agent after this season, as can Vargas if his 2020 club option is not exercised. Syndergaard and Matz can become free agents after the 2021 season, and deGrom is signed through 2023 — though he has the right to opt out a year early.

Stroman was a prep star at Patchogue-Medford High School on Long Island before attending Duke University. On April 16, 2009, he pitched against Matz, who was on Ward Melville High in East Setauket.

Kay is 1-3 with a 6.61 ERA in seven starts for Triple-A Syracuse after starting the season 7-3 with a 1.76 ERA in 12 starts at Double-A Binghamton. He also went to Ward Melville, like Matz, and was drafted by the Mets on the 29th round in 2013 but chose to go to the University of Connecticut. Taken on the first round with the 31st overall pick in 2016, he signed for a $1.1 million bonus.

Woods Richardson is 3-8 with a 4.25 ERA in 20 starts for Class A Columbia of the Carolina League, with 97 strikeouts in 78 1/3 innings. Taken on the second round with the 48th overall pick last year, he signed for a $1.85 million bonus.

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BOSTON (AP) — Former Red Sox slugger David Ortiz says he is glad to be home with family after a botched assassination attempt in his native Dominican Republic.

More than seven weeks after he was shot, Ortiz said on Instagram in his first public comments, “Being at home and look at my family celebrating that lm here safe is priceless.” Ortiz was released from a Boston hospital on Friday.

He also thanked fans for their prayers. The post included pictures of a steak, pasta and grilled fish. Ortiz said, “Too bad l can’t crush food yet!!!!”

Ortiz was shot in the back at a Santo Domingo nightclub June 9 by a hit man who police say was supposed to be targeting a different man. Ortiz was brought to Boston the next day needed three operations before he was released.

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A look at what’s happening around the majors today:

TRADEWINDS

Only eight games on the schedule, giving contending teams more time to talk about trades. The fourth-place Mets acquired Toronto ace Marcus Stroman for two minor league pitching prospects Sunday and the Rays made three deals, getting .300-hitting Eric Sogard from the Blue Jays.

The Yankees are in the market for a top starting pitcher — Mets star Noah Syndergaard is available, and San Diego is interested. Relievers are always in demand, with Pittsburgh lefty Felipe Vazquez attracting attention.

The deadline is 4 p.m. EDT Wednesday to make trades for players to be eligible in the postseason.

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS

Second-place Washington gets a chance to cut into Atlanta’s 5½-game lead in the NL East when the Braves visit for the opener of a three-game series. Patrick Corbin (8-5, 3.25), ranked second in the majors with a 1.68 ERA at home, starts for the Nationals against Dallas Keuchel (3-3, 3.50) in a matchup of veteran left-handers. Atlanta star Ronald Acuña Jr. exited Sunday’s loss in Philadelphia with a stiff neck but said afterward he was feeling better and expects to play Monday. Acuña has reached base safely in 32 consecutive games, the longest streak in the majors.

NO RUSH

White Sox manager Rick Renteria says he sees Eloy Jiménez as an outfielder, even after the rookie’s latest setback.

Jiménez was activated from the 10-day injured list over the weekend. The slugger will be limited to designated hitter while he completes a throwing program after being sidelined with a bruised ulnar nerve in his right arm.

The 22-year-old Jiménez is batting .241 with 17 homers and 39 RBIs in 68 games. But his adventures in left field have raised questions about whether his long-term future might be at DH. He hurt his arm when he collided with teammate Charlie Tilson while chasing a flyball this month and missed time earlier this season when he sprained his ankle crashing into a wall.

AILING

The Dodgers are likely to put valuable utilityman Enrique Hernandez on the injured list because of an aching left wrist. “He’s still in pain. It’s getting better, but the IL is probably inevitable,” manager Dave Roberts said.