Teixeira sent to Angels

The Los Angeles Angels acquired slugging first baseman Mark Teixeira from the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday, a bold trade that further bolsters the team with the best record in the major leagues.

The Angels, with a whopping 11 1/2 -game lead in the A.L. West and primed for a World Series run, sent first baseman Casey Kotchman and minor league pitcher Steve Marek to Atlanta.

The deal came two days before baseball’s trade deadline. Teixeira can become a free agent after the season.

Mets open academy

The New York Mets unveiled a sprawling new training academy in the Dominican Republic in an effort to develop more of the talent-rich country’s baseball prospects.

The $8 million facility in Boca Chica has two playing fields. One of the fields copies the dimensions of Citi Field, the ballpark the Mets will move into next season.

•Pedro Martinez was greeted with hugs and handshakes from teammates and manager Jerry Manuel in the Mets clubhouse when he returned from the Dominican Republic after attending his father’s funeral. The right-hander is slated to start Friday in Houston.

•Mets pitcher John Maine was diagnosed with a mild strain in his right rotator cuff, and it’s uncertain whether he will make his next start.

Clearing the bases

The Pittsburgh Pirates put first baseman Adam LaRoche on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained muscle in his ribcage and called up infielder Brian Bixler from Triple-A Indianapolis. … The Colorado Rockies have put outfielder Scott Podsednik on the 15-day DL because of a non-displaced fracture of his left pinky. The Rockies called up outfielder Cory Sullivan. … Third baseman Hank Blalock was placed on the 15-day DL by the Texas Rangers with right shoulder inflammation. … Johnny Damon was back in the New York Yankees’ outfield even though he still feels some pain in his left shoulder when he throws. He came off the DL last week and served as the DH for seven games.