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Before Thursday night's series opener against the San Diego Padres, manager Terry Collins provided updates on the three Mets regulars who are currently on the disabled list:

• Shortstop Ruben Tejada will run the bases on Friday, and Collins hopes Tejada will be playing in minor-league rehab games by Monday. Tejada has been out since May 6 with a strained right quadriceps.

• Catcher Josh Thole has begun baseball activities again, including hitting, but has not gotten back behind the plate yet. Collins is hoping Thole will catch for an inning in extended spring training on Friday. Thole has been out since May 7 because of a concussion.

• Left fielder Jason Bay has begun taking live batting practice, and will hopefully start playing in a minor-league rehab game as a DH next week. Bay has been out since April 23 with a fractured rib.

PITTSBURGH -- Mike Baxter and Kirk Nieuwenhuis had a communications gaffe on an eighth-inning fly ball, resulting in a three-base error, and Clint Barmes followed with a game-deciding sacrifice fly as the Pittsburgh Pirates rallied from a four-run deficit to beat the Mets, 5-4, Monday at PNC Park.

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, it was Pittsburgh's biggest come-from-behind victory since June 1, 2009, also against the Mets -- when a five-run lead for the Amazin's turned into an 8-5 loss that included five straight batters reaching against J.J. Putz in a five-run eighth. Putz made only one more appearance as a Met, also in that series, before undergoing season-ending elbow surgery.

The Pirates' string of 160 straight games trailing by four-plus runs without a comeback victory was the second-longest in MLB history, according to Elias. Only the the Washington Senators, who had 178 straight losses when they trailed by four-plus runs from 1906 to 1910, had a longer drought.

Tuesday's news reports:

• Johan Santana could not hold a four-run lead. He surrendered a game-tying two-run homer to No. 8 hitter Michael McKenry in the seventh. His record stands at 1-2 after nine starts this season.

• Read game recaps in the Post, Record, Star-Ledger, Newsday, Times and Daily News.

• Josh Thole and Jason Bay have headed to Florida to ramp up activity, while Ruben Tejada could be the first of trio to return from the disabled list -- as soon as next weekend. Thole, cleared for baseball activities two weeks after suffering a concussion, is aiming to appear in a minor league game for the first time May 28. Tejada (quadriceps) has been running in Port St. Lucie. He could be in a minor league rehab game as soon as Wednesday. Bay (fractured rib) is due to start taking batting practice from coaches that day, and soon thereafter may advance to minor league action, initially as a DH. Read more in the Star-Ledger.

• Andres Torres is 1-for-his-last-29. Terry Collins plans to sit him Tuesday and start Nieuwenhuis in center, with Baxter in left field.

• Ike Davis sat against another left-hander, Erik Bedard, but entered Monday for defense in the sixth inning and eventually struck out in both of his ensuing at-bats. Davis is now hitting .161. A demotion may be looming, potentially coinciding with the return of a player from the DL. Collins met with Davis in the visiting manager's office at PNC Park before Monday's game. Read more in the Journal, Post, Newsday, Times and Daily News.

• Vinny Rottino rejoined the Mets on Monday from Triple-A Buffalo and made his first major league start at first base. Chris Schwinden was optioned back to the Bisons. With Miguel Batista landing on the DL, Jeremy Hefner has been confirmed as Thursday's starter against the San Diego Padres at Citi Field.

• Terry Collins expressed appreciation for umpire Brian Knight acknowledging missing Saturday night's call, when Baxter was ruled out at second base in Toronto.

• Michael Salfino in the Journal tries to reconcile the Mets' winning record with their run differential. He notes a few lopsided losses skew the results somewhat, but counters that the Mets have been outslugged with homers by a wide margin. Writes Salfino:

In the standings, they look like a contender. Entering Monday, they were a surprising 22-19. But on the stat sheet -- and we're not talking doctorate-level statistics here -- they look overmatched. They've been outscored by 31 runs, the fifth-worst mark in baseball. Even the 15-25 Colorado Rockies (minus-27) have been better. The Mets are on pace to finish 87-75 while being outscored by 122 runs. This would be a rather historic achievement: All-time, the worst run differential by a winning team belonged to the 1905 Detroit Tigers (minus-90), who went 79-74. The Mets' current record is about five games better than what's expected from a team with that poor of a run differential, according to Baseball-Reference.com.

• Salfino also notes in the Journal that the Mets bullpen has protected leads for R.A. Dickey remarkably well -- in 21 of 22 games in which the knuckleballer has left in a position to win during his Mets career. According to the article, the bullpen has failed to hold 14 of 50 potential wins for Santana during his Mets career.

• Pitching coach Dan Warthen wants Jon Niese to prepare more for unfamiliar opponents, Mike Puma writes in the Post. "He’s had a couple of poor games against teams he doesn’t know very well,” Warthen told Puma. “A couple of us talked to him the other day and told him he could do a little bit better with the studying of hitters.”

TRIVIA: Who holds the record for career runs scored in a Mets uniform?

Monday's answer: The yellow bridge spanning the Allegheny River adjacent to PNC Park is named for the late Roberto Clemente.

PITTSBURGH -- Josh Thole did not experience a recurrence of concussion symptoms while doing cardiovascular workouts such as running and stationary bicycle riding during the weekend, so Mets doctors cleared him to travel to Port St. Lucie, Fla., to begin baseball activities, Terry Collins said Monday afternoon.

Thole suffered the concussion -- possibly the fourth of his professional career -- in a plate collision with Ty Wigginton in Philadelphia two weeks ago.

Collins said the Mets are eyeing Thole catching five innings in minor league games May 28 and 29, with an eye toward being activated from the disabled list shortly thereafter.

• Jason Bay, on the disabled list since fracturing a rib April 23 on an attempted catch in left field, traveled to the Mets' Florida complex as well on Monday.

Bay has been hitting off a tee. He is due to take batting practice from coaches Wednesday for the first time.

Collins said Bay initially will play minor league rehab games at DH in order to guard against him being overaggressive in the outfield and attempting to make another play that could jeopardize the rib's healing.

• Ruben Tejada (quadriceps) was due to continue running in Port St. Lucie on Monday. Collins said the shortstop could begin minor league games midweek and, under the most optimistic scenario, be activated from the DL next weekend.

• Rob Johnson's thumb continues to throb as the result of a foul ball that struck his glove in a vulnerable spot while catching in Miami during the last road trip. Mike Nickeas will start two games this series behind the plate, with Johnson in all likelihood still starting the other game.

Collins did request that newly promoted Vinny Rottino play games this past weekend at catcher with Triple-A Buffalo before his activation to be ready as an in-game replacement. It remains unlikely, though, that Rottino would start a game at the major league level at catcher.

The Mets salvaged the finale of their interleague series in Toronto, holding on for a 6-5 win when former Blue Jays closer Frank Francisco struck out three straight batters in the ninth after allowing a leadoff walk to Yunel Escobar, then single by Jose Bautista through the barren right side of the infield.

Monday's news reports:

• Miguel Batista landed on the DL on Sunday morning with a strained oblique or lower-back muscle. Jeremy Hefner is likely to start Thursday's game against the San Diego Padres at Citi Field in that rotation slot. Chris Schwinden was promoted for Sunday's game as a hedge against Dillon Gee having a short outing, but was not needed. The Mets plan to make another roster move before Monday's series opener in Pittsburgh to add a position player. Vinny Rottino -- who had a three-homer game for Triple-A Buffalo on Saturday -- would appear a logical choice to return to the major league roster. Schwinden is the easiest to return to Buffalo. Manny Acosta would be an alternative, but seemingly less likely choice to get dismissed to free the roster spot.

• Terry Collins for the first time Sunday morning allowed for the possibility of Ike Davis getting sent to the minors if his performance does not show improvement on this trip. Despite a seeming roster crunch looming with Ruben Tejada slated to begin rehab games as soon as today and Jason Bay due to take batting practice in Pittsburgh for the first time this afternoon, there are demotion candidates. Davis is one. And Kirk Nieuwenhuis' production considerably has slowed since the rookie's torrid start.

The added benefit of Nieuwenhuis returning to the minors is it could delay his free agency a year. If Nieuwenhuis were to stay at the major league level continuously, he would be eligible for free agency after his sixth season, during the 2017-18 offseason. If he logs a total of 20 days in the minors this year, he would not get credit for a full major league season in 2012 and would be delayed in free agency at least until the following winter -- 2018-19. Read more in the Daily News, Post and Newsday.

• Andy McCullough in the Star-Ledger writes about Davis' issues:

- He’s hitting too many grounders (50 percent of his balls in play before Sunday, according to FanGraphs.com). In the first inning, Davis hacked at a low, 91-mph sinker and tapped the ball back to Alvarez. With the bases loaded in the fifth, he rolled a fastball into what should have been a double play, except second baseman Kelly Johnson fumbled the exchange.

- His luck has been poor. In the fourth inning, Davis smashed a fastball toward the opposite field -- right into the glove of third baseman Yan Gomes. Entering Sunday's game, Davis was hitting line drives 17.4 percent of the time, or slightly better than 2011’s 17 percent mark. Except his batting average on balls in play was a miniscule .184, nearly 200 points below his career average. “He just needs those [line drives] to fall,” hitting coach Dave Hudgens said.

- He’s not drawing walks. Davis saw exactly three pitches in his first three at-bats Sunday.

• Regarding Nieuwenhuis, Barbara Barker writes in Newsday:

A week ago, he led all major-league rookies with a .302 batting average and was second with 35 hits. He went 1-for-3 with an RBI double and two walks in the Mets' 6-5 win Sunday and is now batting .277 with 38 hits, seven doubles, two home runs, 13 RBIs and 16 walks. "This kid doesn't deserve to go back to Triple-A with the way he's swung the bat so far," Buffalo manager Wally Backman said. "But he needs to play. I think for his development, he needs to play every day." Nieuwenhuis says he can't worry about what the future holds, other than to try to perform his best each day he plays. "It's been pretty cool playing up here with the guys," he said, "but whatever happens, happens. I don't make those decisions. I just have to take one day at a time and focus."

• David Wright returned from a day off Saturday and delivered a two-run double in the first inning as part of a 2-for-4 series finale that raised his average to .412. Wright, still sick, passed Jose Reyes for second on the franchise's all-time hit list with 1,302. He needs 116 more hits to match Mets record-holder Ed Kranepool.

• Mike Baxter had a career-high three hits Sunday while starting for the second straight game with the Mets using an extra position player in their lineup in the AL ballpark. Collins pledged to find Baxter playing time in Pittsburgh, although the manager said not at first base yet, and not on Monday against Pirates left-hander Erik Bedard. Read more in the Star-Ledger.

• Gee had a new look and better results. Read more in the Post.

• Read game recaps in the Record, Times, Daily News, Journal, Newsday and Post.

• Collins reiterated Jenrry Mejia is far more likely to help the Mets as a reliever at the major league level in 2012. Read more in Newsday.

• Tim Kurkjian catches up with hot-hitting ex-Met Carlos Beltran at ESPN.com. Kurkjian notes Beltran is two steals shy of 300 swipes and 300 homers in his career, a club that is currently limited to Barry Bonds, Willie Mays, Alex Rodriguez, Andre Dawson, Bobby Bonds, Reggie Sanders and Steve Finley. Writes Kurkjian:

If it weren't for Matt Kemp, Beltran, 35, would be the most valuable player in the National League six weeks into the season. If it weren't for the remarkable Josh Hamilton, May would have been all about Beltran. Not only has he replaced the 2011 production of Albert Pujols in the Cardinals' lineup, he has greatly exceeded it while helping take St. Louis to the front of the National League Central, all while dazzling his new teammates. "When I ran out on the field with him the first time in spring training,'' said Cardinals third baseman David Freese, "I knew he was the most complete player I'd ever played with.''

Lance Berkman, who also was Beltran's teammate during that prolific 2004 postseason with Houston that set up Beltran's seven-year, $119 million contract with the Mets told Kurkjian: "It's funny. An elite player has some things happen to him for three or four years, like injuries, then he becomes an elite player again, and people ask, 'What's going on here?' Just look at the back of his baseball card. He is as complete a player as I've ever played with. He does everything well, and he looks good doing it. When you look at what a player is supposed to do, he's about as good as it gets.''

• Corey Wimberly stole home for Buffalo's lone run in a 4-1 loss to Indianapolis on Sunday. It was the second time a Mets farmhand has swiped home this season. Wimberly had a pure steal of the plate, while Binghamton's Josh Rodriguez stole home on April 21 as part of a double-steal. Read Sunday's full minor league recap here.

• Forty-thousand Orthodox Jews packed Citi Field on Sunday to decry the internet. Read more in the Daily News.

• Michael Howard Saul in the Journal revealed that Citi Field, now in its fourth season, still does not have all its full permits from the city in order. Mayor Michael Bloomberg at last week's All-Star Game press conference dismissed the issue as procedural and insignificant and insisted the stadium was safe. Wrote Saul, alluding to the City Hall announcement about next season's Mid-Summer Classic:

Unmentioned was the embarrassing fact that the three-year-old stadium in Queens still hasn’t received a certificate of occupancy from the city. The stadium has a temporary certificate, which means it is “safe and legal to occupy,” said Tony Sclafani, a spokesman for the Department of Buildings, in an email.

TRIVIA: For which former Pirate Pirate is the yellow bridge spanning the Allegheny River adjacent to PNC Park named?

Sunday's answer: Jason Bay was the last Pirate to have a multi-homer game against the Mets. At Shea Stadium on July 24, 2007, Bay went deep off John Maine and Guillermo Mota.

TORONTO -- Before departing with teammates, Jason Bay told ESPNNewYork.com he plans to attempt to take batting practice Monday in Pittsburgh -- his most extensive activity since fracturing a rib on an attempted catch at Citi Field on April 23.

Bay started swinging lightly this weekend, his first time doing so since the injury. Doctors must sign off on Monday's activity.

"Definitely plausible," Bay said about the intended batting practice.

Bay may be only a week from returning.

Brandon Morrow tossed a three-hit shutout and the Mets lost to the Toronto Blue Jays, 2-0, Saturday at Rogers Centre. Dillon Gee starts Sunday's 1:07 p.m. game, trying to prevent the Amazin's from getting swept north of the border.

Regarding the Mets' offense, Terry Collins said, the Mets can't be patient to a fault in driving up pitch counts.

"We’ve got to start grinding out some at-bats," Collins said. "It goes back to exactly what we talked about a couple of weeks ago, and that's: It’s not about taking pitches. It’s about being patient, and when you get the pitch you want, hit it. Brandon was in the strike zone today. He was making good pitches early in the count. And we're down early, 0-1, 0-2. I don’t want these guys to think they've got to go up there and just take the good pitches they can hit."

Sunday's news reports:

• Miguel Batista was forced to leave Saturday's game after tossing two scoreless innings because of a pulled muscle in his lower back. Jeremy Hefner, promoted from Triple-A Buffalo, entered in relief and limited the Jays to two runs in five innings but was charged with the loss. Chris Schwinden will arrive Sunday in Toronto as a taxi-squad member, and presumably has a good chance of being activated as a hedge against Gee having a short outing, with Batista landing on the DL.

Jordany Valdespin had been demoted before Saturday's game to make room for Hefner. Valdespin will play second base with the Bisons. The Mets will promote a position player before Monday's game in Pittsburgh, Collins indicated. Collins said Hefner would start in Batista's place Thursday at Citi Field if the 41-year-old right-hander lands on the DL. Read more in Newsday, the Record, Star-Ledger and Post.

• Mike Baxter was ruled out at second base in the ninth inning on an apparent blown call. Had Baxter been credited with a double, the Mets would have had two runners in scoring position with one out in the ninth, trailing by two runs. Read more in the Post.

• Read game recaps in the Post, Times, Star-Ledger, Newsday, Record and Daily News.

• There's no indication Ike Davis is in imminent danger of a demotion. But the number of notable names getting demoted is, well, notable. First, the Braves sent Jair Jurrjens to Triple-A Gwinnett. First baseman Adam Lind is reportedly on waivers for the purpose of being removed from the 40-man roster and demoted by the Blue Jays. And, now, first baseman Gaby Sanchez, who was hitting .197 with one homer with Miami, has been demoted too. “We don’t think he’s a .190 hitter,” Marlins GM Michael Hill told the Miami Herald about Sanchez, an All-Star last season. “We think he’s better than he’s showing here. We think he’s pressing. We want to take some of the pressure off him, get him down to Triple-A, and get him right.” Davis is hitting .160 after going 0-for-3 Saturday in Toronto.

• Pedro Beato began an official rehab assignment Saturday night with Class A St. Lucie, tossing two scoreless innings. He is on the 60-day DL because of a shoulder issue that arose during spring training. Jenrry Mejia, meanwhile, allowed one run on six hits while striking out three and walking none in three innings for Double-A Binghamton. He threw only 48 pitches in his first Double-A start since Tommy John surgery, but Sandy Alderson said that roughly was the prescribed length. Mejia had higher pitch counts in two previous starts for St. Lucie. Also Saturday, Vinny Rottino had three homers for Triple-A Buffalo. Read the Saturday's full minor league recap here.

• David Wright was sicker Saturday than the previous day and was unavailable. Still, he already has informed Collins he wants to play Sunday. Read more in the Daily News.

• Anthony McCarron pens a feature in the Daily News celebrating Wright's leadership by example. Regarding Wright bickering with Collins in the dugout because he wanted to remain in Tuesday's game against Milwaukee to get drilled as payback for D.J. Carrasco hitting Ryan Braun, Ron Darling said: “I think there were probably people on the bench who didn’t understand what the hullabaloo was about at all and were taught a valuable lesson. 'What? Get hit? Who wants to get hit?’ He basically said, 'I know how the game is played and I know what we have to do in certain situations and I’m willing to do that.' David is one of those rare current players who could’ve played in any generation. There is a real courage in the way he plays the game. Guy played three weeks with a back that was broken last year, hits a homer with a broken finger because he knows his team needs him. I watch him play, and it makes me proud that I was part of the fraternity.”

• Collins believes Ruben Tejada (quadriceps) could be in a minor league rehab game as soon as Monday. Jason Bay (fractured rib) may take batting practice that day in Pittsburgh. Chris Young, who took a brief break with his wife due to give birth, is expected to resume his comeback with Class A St. Lucie on Friday. It will be Young's third minor league start with the Florida State League club since May 16, 2011 surgery to repair a torn anterior capsule in his right shoulder.

• David Lennon in Newsday reviews the early impact of the wall changes at Citi Field. He notes Gee's amusement at hearing during the trip to Miami's new ballpark about Marlins players already expressing discontent with the cavernous dimensions. As a result of the Citi Field changes, there have been 10 additional homers this season that would have remained in play under the old configuration -- six by opponents, four by the Mets (Kirk Nieuwenhuis 2, Lucas Duda, Wright). "I enjoy it," Wright told Lennon. "Obviously, it's smaller, so I enjoy that. But it's tough, I guess, to describe the effect that it has because it's still relatively early. A lot of how the ball carries has to do with the weather, and the weather has been chilly, rainy and windy."

Still, Citi Field has not become a homer haven. Writes Lennon:

Through the first 20 home games, there have been 26 home runs hit at Citi Field, and that frequency of 1.3 per game is tied (with Wrigley Field) for 13th-best in the National League . Only AT&T Park (0.84), PETCO Park (0.96) and Marlins Park (1.24) had produced fewer. Before Citi's changes are deemed inconsequential, however, consider this: According to ESPN Home Run Tracker, 10 home runs needed the new dimensions to clear the walls, and if there were only 16 home runs to this point, that drops the average rate to a minuscule 0.80 -- the lowest in either league. "It's only a small sample size," Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said. "But at the same time, that's still a dramatic impact."

Jeff Wilpon told Lennon: "It doesn't look like a sore thumb sticking out, in the terms of the changes that we made. I think it's been very successful in that sense. We knew it wouldn't make a huge difference -- we wanted it to be a moderate difference. ... I wish we were hitting more home runs, either with the benefit of the changes or without the benefits."

• Tyler Kepner in the Times pays homage to Chipper Jones, who is due to retire at season's end. Writes Kepner:

In Chicago, the Cubs gave him a Braves flag that flew above the scoreboard at Wrigley Field. In Denver, the Rockies gave him a camera to mount on his hunting bow. The Houston Astros gave him a cowboy hat, and the St. Louis Cardinals presented a jersey signed by Stan Musial. “It was really cool in St. Louis when he came up to bat,” Braves reliever Craig Kimbrel said. “They kind of stopped the game. They were already losing in the first inning, but he came up to bat and got a standing ovation.”

Jones told Kepner about last year's Braves historic collapse relative to the team's current success (25-16, first place): "It’s really gratifying because the guys went home in the offseason and used what happened in September as a motivational tool. I’ve said this all along: If we end up winning an Eastern Division championship or a National League championship or a World Series in the next couple of years, I guarantee you all these players will look back at September and say we learned a lot.”

• Critic Bob Raissman in the Daily News praises Collins as a straight shooter. Writes Raissman:

While The Prince of Darkness, John Tortorella, continues perfecting his mummified style, Terry Collins is out in Queens shedding light. The Mets manager will never be cast as Mr. Sunshine. He illuminates by speaking the truth. That’s why the media rarely has a discouraging word about him. Of all the head mouths in town, Collins is the straightest shooter.

• Columnist Jeff Bradley in the Star-Ledger compares the 1993 Yankees to the 2012 Mets in terms of success despite low expectations. Warning: extensive Paul O'Neill quoting.

TRIVIA: Who was the last Pittsburgh Pirate to have a multi-homer game against the Mets?

Saturday's answer: Mike Jacobs was traded to Toronto for a player to be named or cash in the last swap between the Mets and Jays, on July 30, 2010.

David Wright, who has a scheduled day off Saturday with the Mets in a 20-games-in-20-day stretch, actually is feeling sicker Saturday than the previous day. Terry Collins said the illness could keep Wright out of Sunday's lineup.

One thing is clear, though: Wright does not like DH'ing because it takes him out of the rhythm at the plate. So Collins said Wright will man third base if he's able to play in the series finale. Wright is available to pinch hit, the manager said.

• The Mets will restore the bench to five position players before Monday's game in Pittsburgh, when the DH is no longer in effect.

Collins said right-hander Jeremy Hefner, who joined the Mets on Saturday in place of Jordany Valdespin, will not necessarily make a U-turn to Buffalo at that point. That suggests there may be at least some consideration about whether Manny Acosta still merits a roster spot. Acosta's ERA swelled to 10.53 on Friday.

"We'll have a decision to make at that point," Collins said in response to an inquiry about whether Hefner returns to Triple-A after the weekend. Hefner had returned to the Bisons immediately after tossing three scoreless innings in his major league debut against the San Francisco Giants last month.

Valdespin is 2-for-20, albeit with a dramatic pinch-hit, three-run homer against Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon, at the major league level. A natural infielder, he mostly had played center field in minor league games this season. Now, though, Valdespin is due to focus on second-base work at Buffalo. That position is open with the Bisons with Bobby Scales having bolted for Japan.

Collins does not see Valdespin as a major league shortstop. That's largely because he has not worked enough in the minors at that position, according to the manager.

If the Mets needed a bona fide shortstop in the future, Collins said, the best Triple-A choice would be ex-Rockie/Ranger Omar Quintanilla. Still, the manager added, Quintanilla is not on the 40-man roster. And the Mets would not necessarily risk losing a minor leaguer through waivers a open 40-man roster spot for Quintanilla.

• Ruben Tejada could be back by the end of Memorial Day weekend. Tejada (strained quadriceps) is due to run in a straight line today and could be in minor league rehab games by Monday. Jason Bay (fractured rib) will hit off a tee today and swing at soft-toss flips Sunday. On Monday in Pittsburgh, the Mets will request permission from team doctors for Bay to begin taking at least light batting practice. Collins expects Tejada to return before Bay.

• Three umpires disappeared between innings early in Friday's game, delaying Jon Niese beginning an inning. There was good reason: Their uniforms and work gear had finally arrived. There are extra umpire uniforms at each major league stadium, but ump Wally Bell had to borrow black cleats from the Mets.

• Daniel Murphy, despite a .331 average, is homerless. Collins says he probably doesn't see Murphy producing more than a dozen homers in any season, saying his swing is geared for line drives.

Jon Niese surrendered a career-high four homers and matched a career high by allowing eight runs as the Mets were routed by the Toronto Blue Jays, 14-5, Friday at Rogers Centre. Catcher Rob Johnson proved the Mets' most effective pitcher, tossing a 1-2-3 eighth while topping out at 87 mph with his fastball and utilizing three pitches. Left-hander Robert Carson also tossed a scoreless frame in his major league debut. The Mets look to get back on track Saturday with Miguel Batista, coming off seven scoreless innings against the Milwaukee Brewers, opposing Brandon Morrow.

Saturday's news reports:

• Right-hander Jeremy Hefner is expected to be promoted from Triple-A Buffalo and join the Mets on Saturday, baseball sources told ESPNNewYork.com. We should learn the corresponding move this morning. If no one lands on the DL, it would seem possible that Hefner gets Manny Acosta's roster spot. Otherwise, the Mets could send Carson immediately back to the minors. Hefner tossed three scoreless innings for the Mets in his major league debut against San Francisco, then immediately returned to Buffalo.

• Read Friday game reports in the Star-Ledger, Times, Record, Daily News, Newsday and Post.

• Ken Rosenthal reports Roy Oswalt auditioned for the Phillies and Red Sox, and also will do so for two other teams. He will not land with the Mets, ESPNNewYork.com is assured.

• The area surrounding Citi Field, which has been part of eminent domain claims, has more concrete plans for redevelopment. The Associated Press writes:

Under the agreement, the developers, Related Companies and Sterling Equities, would clean up the area and construct retail stores, including a mall in the Queens neighborhood. Then, no later than 2025, they would start construction on a mixed-use component that would include housing and measure anywhere from 1.3 million square feet up to 4.5 million square feet. The founders of Sterling Equities are Fred Wilpon and Saul Katz, the owners of the Mets.

• Terry Collins plans to for David Wright to rest on Saturday, which was prearranged before Wright became sick. The Mets are in a 20-games-in-20-days stretch. Wright actually was pulled from Friday's game in the bottom of the sixth with the Mets trailing, 10-1. Before departing, Wright recorded his 1,300th career high, matching Jose Reyes for second on the franchise's all-time list. He can now set his sights on Ed Kranepool's record: 1,418. Wright's average sits at .409. Read more in the Daily News and Star-Ledger.

• Citi Field will be packed Sunday, even though the Mets are away. A group of ultra-orthodox Jews has rented the stadium for a gathering to discuss the evils of the internet. Read more from the AP via USA Today.

• The stadium also will host a Latin-themed concert, on July 14. The scheduled performers: Gloria Estefan, Ricardo Arjona, Juanes, Alejandro Sanz, Daddy Yankee, Don Omar, Paulina Rubio, Prince Royce, Jenny Rivera, Tito El Bambino, Toño Rosario, Plan B, Silvestre Dangond and Secreto among others. Tickets to go on sale Monday at 10 a.m. at Tickets.com, by calling (718) 507-TIXX and at Citi Field.

• Collins said Ike Davis is not platooning, and will start Monday in Pittsburgh against left-hander Erik Bedard. Justin Turner started Friday against former college roommate/southpaw Ricky Romero. Read more in Newsday.

• Johnson said he nearly pitched in a game with the Padres last season against the Reds. He threw one inning in college, but had not been a pitcher since high school. Todd Zeile was the Mets' last position player to pitch, eight years ago. Read more in the Post and Record.

• Jason Bay ran and played catch at Rogers Centre on Friday, and Collins said the left fielder should take batting practice during the next series, in Pittsburgh, as Bay aims to ramp up activity toward a return from a fractured rib. Josh Thole, cleared for physical activity following a concussion suffered nearly two weeks ago, should head to Port St. Lucie after the weekend. Ruben Tejada (quadriceps) is fielding grounders but not running the bases. Chris Young's next minor league start, which would have occurred Sunday had he stayed on an every-five-days schedule, has been delayed, but for a good reason -- his wife is having a baby. Jenrry Mejia's third minor league start since Tommy John surgery is scheduled for today, with Double-A Binghamton.

• Class A St. Lucie second baseman Danny Muno was suspended 50 games for testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance, MLB announced. Read more in Newsday.

• Jared Diamond in the Journal discusses Bobby Parnell's role. Writes Diamond:

On the surface, this seems like the perfect antidote to the Mets' most pressing issue: They desperately need help surviving the late innings of games. New closer Frank Francisco owns a ghastly 8.04 ERA, while setup man Jon Rauch lost two games in the last two weeks alone. The Mets' cumulative bullpen ERA of 5.00 ranks 28th in baseball. As virtually every Mets reliever besides Parnell continues to struggle, it raises a reasonable question: Why not start trusting Parnell in more pressure-filled situations? Sounds simple enough, but as the Mets learned last season, it doesn't always work out quite so easily. "With what Bobby went through last fall, I'm going to try to avoid that and let him build up to that closer's role," manager Terry Collins said.

• Tim Bontemps in the Post chats with Binghamton third baseman Jefry Marte.

• Matt Harvey struck out a season-high 11 batters and Valentino Pascucci homered twice as Triple-A Buffalo beat Gwinnett, 5-3, Saturday. A scout who watched Harvey originally expressed disappointment with the prospect not throwing a changeup until his 42nd pitch and 10th batter faced. But, the scout added, Harvey ultimately threw 10 changeups by the end of the night and was "very good after a rough first inning" that included surrendering a pair of solo homers. Read Friday's full minor league recap here.

TRIVIA: Which players were involved in the last Mets-Jays trade?

Friday's answer: John Gibbons managed the Jays in 2006, the last time the Mets visited Rogers Centre.

David Wright is scheduled to sit Saturday, with Justin Turner starting at third base, despite Wright owning a .411 average entering the series.

Wright sitting in Toronto, at roughly the midpoint of a 20-games-in-20-days stretch, was decided by Terry Collins and Wright a week ago in Miami. Wright now can use the day off even more so. He's battling a head cold and sounds terrible, so much so that Collins would have given Wright off Friday had the Mets not been facing a left-hander, Ricky Romero.

Wright is not a fan of DHing, so do not look for that this weekend. "I like playing the field," he said.

Incidentally, Wright slid headfirst Thursday. He said he could not recall if that's the first time he did so since suffering a fractured right pinkie, but he continues to intend to slide feet first unless instincts take over.

• Scott Hairston is the extra bat in the lineup Friday, although he's playing left field and Lucas Duda is getting the break as the DH. Collins said Mike Baxter will be the extra addition to the lineup Saturday and Sunday.

• Ike Davis is off Friday, but Collins said he is not in a platoon and will start Monday against left-hander Erik Bedard in Pittsburgh. Daniel Murphy should get Monday day.

• Jason Bay, who ran and played catch Friday afternoon, has only swung a bat lightly while hitting off a tee so far as he works back from a fractured rib. Bay should begin swinging more forcefully when the Mets' trip continues in Pittsburgh after the weekend.

• Ruben Tejada, out with a right quadriceps strain, has taken grounders but is not yet baserunning.

• Josh Thole, cleared to resume activity after suffering a concussion, is doing cardiovascular work this weekend and may travel to Port St. Lucie on Monday.

• Chris Young, who has made two minor league starts with Class A St. Lucie, will not pitch on his regular turn Sunday. Pitching coach Dan Warthen said Young is with his wife, who is having a baby, and that the delay is not a complication from May 16, 2011 shoulder surgery. Warthen was unsure if Young's next -- and now delayed -- start will be with St. Lucie or Triple-A Buffalo.

• Collins bought 30 NHL jerseys and supplied them to many of the players, including Andres Torres, for the trip to Toronto. Because Torres was born in New Jersey, he was assigned a Devils jersey.

The center fielder did not understand why he was getting taunted by so many people while out in public -- presumably Rangers fans. Collins said "traitor" chants were directed at Torres. "He didn't know anything about it," Collins said. "People are screaming at him."

Johan Santana joked he ordered a Venezuelan national hockey team jersey but it never arrived. He represented the Minnesota Wild instead.

(Read full post)

David Wright jawed with his manager, Terry Collins, in the dugout, but insisted afterward he was upset in the heat of the moment with the situation, not at his manager. The Mets ultimately lost to the Milwaukee Brewers, 8-0, Tuesday at soggy Citi Field. Collins pulled Wright in the bottom of the seventh along with Daniel Murphy, trying to protect the third baseman from getting drilled a half-inning after D.J. Carrasco served up a homer to Rickie Weeks, then plunked Ryan Braun with the next pitch. Wright wanted to stand in the batter's box to take the expected retaliatory blow and end the drama.

"At this level, somebody is going to get hit," Collins said about retaliation, to which the Mets skipper felt the Brewers were entitled. "And it wasn't going to be David Wright tonight. I can't control what's going to happen down the road. He's not going to get hurt in this game, in this situation, tonight."

Please join me for a Mets chat at 1 p.m. ET Wednesday here.

Wednesday's news reports:

• Before the T.C.-Wright dugout spectacle, Dillon Gee had let down the Mets. Gee served up a pair of homers to Travis Ishikawa and was charged with seven runs in 5 1/3 innings. "Mistakes that he makes are in the middle of the plate," Collins said. "I mean, when I took him out of the game, Nicky [catcher Mike Nickeas] said every mistake he made tonight they drilled."

Said Gee: "I don't know. I'm at a loss for words today. I felt good out there. I felt like I made a lot of good pitches. In my mind, I only made a couple of mistakes."

Meanwhile, Murphy extended his hitting streak to a career-high 11 games before departing the game.

Read game recaps in the Record, Times, Post, Newsday, Star-Ledger, Daily News and Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.

• Columnist Mike Vaccaro in the Post summarizes the Wright-Collins argument this way:

Whether [the hit by pitch] was intentional or not isn’t important. Neither is the transaction of removing Wright from the game. This was: Both Collins and Wright care enough about this team and this season as it approaches the quarter pole that they were willing to fill the dugout with noise and rancor, even for a lost cause. They are a fine match, a manager who cares and a player who cares even more.

Read my take here. Columnist Tim Smith in the Daily News also opines on the topic.

• Mayor Michael Bloomberg, MLB commissioner Bud Selig and Mets principal owner Fred Wilpon will participate in a ceremony at City Hall during which the 2013 All-Star Game officially will be awarded to Citi Field. The long-planned event was delayed in being announced for months as MLB worked out contracts with the Javits Convention Center for a fan fest as well as logistics such as NYPD staffing costs for a midtown parade of All-Stars and Central Park concert. You can watch the official announcement live at 11:30 a.m. on the city's web site here. Read more in Newsday, the Times, Post, Daily News and Star-Ledger.

• Collins told Anthony McCarron in the Daily News that Jason Bay "absolutely" will get his left-field job back when he returns from the DL after dealing with a fractured rib. Collins acknowledged the challenge will be finding playing time for Kirk Nieuwenhuis as well, but the manager will make it work. “He didn’t come here to be an extra player," Collins told McCarron about Bay. Nieuwenhuis went 0-for-3 Tuesday. He is hitting .294 with two homers, 12 RBIs, 14 walks and 39 strikeouts in 119 at-bats.

• Josh Thole was examined Tuesday at Citi Field and expected to imminently gain clearance to begin athletic activities. The catcher said he should learn the results of a concussion test Wednesday. Thole, who suffered what may be the fourth concussion of his professional career nine days ago in a plate collision with Ty Wigginton, said his headaches ended Friday. Read more in the Star-Ledger, Record, Daily News and Newsday.

• Jenrry Mejia and Chris Young are slated to move to Triple-A Buffalo to continue their returns from surgeries that both were performed on May 16, 2011. Mejia soon should be exposed to relief work to gauge his ability to contribute at the major league level in that capacity, an organization source told ESPNNewYork.com. Young was due to pitch for Class A St. Lucie on Tuesday night, but the game was rained out. He presumably will pitch Wednesday morning for the Florida State League club before moving to Triple-A.

• A special screening of the Andres Torres-centered documentary "Gigante," about the center fielder's battle with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, will be held at NYU School of Medicine (550 First Ave.) on May 31 at 7 p.m. The free event is open to the public, but preregistration is mandatory at yungogigante.eventbrite.com.

• Wright was noncommittal on his receptiveness to discussing a contract in-season if the Mets approached his representatives.

• Brian Costa in the Journal profiles sudden pinch-hitter-extraordinaire/local product Mike Baxter. Baxter is hitting .471 (8-for-17) with five RBIs as a pinch hitter this season, including a sixth-inning double Tuesday. The contribution also includes a go-ahead two-run double in the ninth inning Friday at Marlins Park.

Plenty of players have found success in pinch-hit roles, but they tend to be veterans who were starters at one point. Baxter, 27, entered Tuesday with just 58 games of major-league experience and just 10 career starts. "Mike is becoming really good at it in a short window," said Mets third-base coach Tim Teufel, who had 192 pinch-hit appearances during his 11-year major-league career. "Usually for a young player, it takes time. He's taken to the role. He's found a way." The Mets' depth was a perceived weakness going into the season. But despite several injuries, they entered Tuesday with a 20-15 record, thanks in part to some unexpected contributions from players at the fringes of the roster. Players like Baxter.

• Michael Salfino in the Journal looks at the Mets' patience at the plate under hitting coach Dave Hudgens. Among the relevant stats: Through Monday, the Mets had seen the most pitches per plate appearance in MLB (3.98), according to Stats LLC, better than runner-up Oakland (3.97) and No. 3 Arizona (3.94). Writes Salfino:

The epitome of the Mets desire to work counts as much as possible, though, is their place as the only team in baseball yet to swing at a 3-0 pitch (70 opportunities). That's widely regarded as the optimal hitter's count. But the Mets clearly don't want to help pitchers work their way out of trouble. New York's patient approach seems to be organization-wide. A spate of injuries have seen four opening day starters head to the disabled list, but replacements Justin Turner (4.22 pitches per plate appearance), Mike Baxter (4.23) and Kirk Nieuwenhuis (4.22) have actually improved the Mets average.

• Baseball America projects the Mets taking Louisiana high school shortstop Gavin Cecchini with the 12th overall pick in the draft next month. The magazine also says the Mets have been "strongly linked" to Texas high school outfielder Courtney Hawkins and Texas A&M right-hander Michael Wacha.

• Brandon Brown had three RBIs and Dustin Lawley homered as Savannah held on for a 4-3 win at Charleston. Read Tuesday's full minor league recap here.

• Collins is not a fan of prescribed roles in the bullpen, but the manager said pregame Tuesday that he needs to accept it as part of the evolution of the game. “Guys are here to do certain jobs,” Collins said. “That’s what they’re paid for. That’s what they prepare for. I mean, you have pitchers in the game today who don’t even go to the bullpen until the sixth inning. They’re not even out there. They’re doing stuff in the clubhouse. They’re stretching. They’re getting rubdowns. That’s the way it is and you have to adjust. I don’t have to like it, but I have to accept it.” Writes columnist Mark Bradley in the Star-Ledger:

No one could have blamed Collins if he took a match and some gasoline to his bullpen roles after Francisco blew the lead twice last weekend in Miami, which was potentially damaging to the psyche of his entire team. And when Francisco got into trouble in the ninth inning on Monday, and the fans were letting him hear it, you wondered, was Collins willing to let another one get away? “The one thing I don’t want to do is turn our bullpen inside out because we have a couple of blown saves,” Collins said. “Everybody has blown saves. But if you start changing everybody’s roles, then all of the sudden it’s very uncomfortable for some guys.” And then Collins repeated, “That’s something I’ve come to accept.”

• Johan Santana and Chris Capuano appear on columnist Bob Klapisch's list of 10 early season MLB surprises in the Record. Writes Klapisch on Santana:

You don’t dominate hitters with an 88-mph fastball without brains and guts, both of which are still Santana’s most precious currencies. His arm has been rebuilt by surgeons, who couldn’t restore the left-hander’s 94-mph heater of his prime. Still, Santana is so good, he’s averaging more than a strikeout an inning. It’s hard to believe Santana was on the DL for the entire 2011 season. Put it this way: The 2.92 ERA isn’t just surprising, it’s magic.

• SNY will televise its "Yearbook" show for the 1962 season for the first time on Thursday at 8 p.m., Ken Belson writes in the Times. Writes Belson:

To sports fans, the show, which is called “1962 Yearbook,” is a wonderful example of how sports was covered a half-century ago, complete with fawning announcers, eager players and a lack of whiz-bang technology that predominates on sports networks these days. “They were trying to generate interest and enthusiasm among the fans,” said Gary Morgenstern, senior vice president for programming at SNY, said of the show and others that would follow. “They weren’t terribly successful, so it was about getting people to fall in love with the team.” The tapes were discovered in 2008, when the Mets were cleaning out Shea Stadium and moving to Citi Field. The video was not meant to be shown on television. Rather, it was to be used by the team’s sales staff to drum up ticket sales in the off-season.

• Miguel Batista remains on target for his next start, despite dealing with a groin issue while tossing seven scoreless innings Monday. He is due to pitch at Toronto on Saturday.

• Mets players already were wearing hockey jerseys in the clubhouse Tuesday, in preparation for a dress-up en route to Toronto after Thursday's homestand finale. Mike Kerwick in the Record spotted R.A. Dickey in a Predators jersey (he lives in Nashville), the Whitestone native Baxter wearing a Rangers jersey, and Nieuwenhuis -- a Denver-area product -- wearing an Avalanche jersey.

TRIVIA: Who hit the homers off Braden Looper to spoil Pedro Martinez's Mets debut in Cincinnati on Opening Day in 2005?

Monday's answer: Gee attended the University of Texas-Arlington.

Miguel Batista tossed seven scoreless innings despite pitching with a tight groin and Daniel Murphy produced two of the Mets' three hits in a 3-1 win against the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday night at Citi Field. Frank Francisco recorded an oh-so-shaky save while allowing a ninth-inning run.

Tuesday's news reports:

• Terry Collins opted to keep Francisco as his closer, despite the ex-Blue Jay failing to protect ninth-inning leads twice in Miami during the weekend. Although Colllins considered having Francisco share duties with Jon Rauch, Bobby Parnell and Tim Byrdak, Collins reasoned that Francisco was brought in to be the closer. The manager added that once he starts shuffling roles, if the next option does not perform, he has created a state of flux in his entire bullpen. And, Collins lightheartedly added, Byrdak would not make it through the summer with extra closing responsibilities given how much he is relied upon as a lefty specialist. Francisco allowed two hits, a walk and a run in the ninth, but was credited with a save Monday. He has allowed 22 hits and eight walks in 14 2/3 innings. Collins was poised to pull Francisco and insert Rauch if one more batter reached Monday.

• Anthony Rieber in Newsday wonders why Collins did not just leave in Parnell, who breezed to record the final two outs of the eighth. Writes Rieber:

Parnell threw all of five pitches. Too radical, I know. Can't be done when you have to honor your closer. I asked Collins before the game if he thinks a team can survive in this day and age without a designated closer, with the manager choosing his late-inning relievers based on the situation. He didn't hesitate. "Absolutely," he said. Did the Mets consider that in their discussions Monday about whether Francisco should remain the closer? "We did consider that," Collins said. "We did consider that. In our case at this particular moment, Byrdak would be dead by July."

• Columnist Ken Davidoff in the Post is unimpressed with the decision to leave Francisco as closer. Writes Davidoff:

Last year, the Mets left camp resolved that Brad Emaus, a Rule 5 draft selection, would be their everyday second baseman. Within just a few weeks, it became evident they bet wrong, so they designated Emaus for assignment. They scored points for dealing decisively with the issue, and ironically, Emaus is back in the Mets’ organization at Triple-A Buffalo. The Francisco situation isn’t identical to Emaus’. The Mets signed Francisco to a two-year, $12-million deal in December with the understanding he would close for them. There’s a wide gulf, however, between winter hopes and spring reality. Moreover, no one’s talking about releasing Francisco and eating all of that money. We’re discussing taking a break, a la Ross and Rachel on “Friends.” Or like when the 2011 Blue Jays flip-flopped their closer and setup man -- that would be Francisco and Jon Rauch, respectively -- in July before a Rauch injury returned the job to Francisco in late August.

• Columnist Tim Smith in the Daily News wants to see the Mets revisit Parnell as closer.

• Read more on Francisco in the Journal, Times and Star-Ledger.

• Jon Heyman at CBSSports.com echoes other reports in expressing confidence David Wright will remain a Met long term, even if a contract offer waits until next offseason. Wright is under the Mets' control through 2013, including a team option. Writes Heyman:

Mets owner Fred Wilpon may have taken an uncharacteristic and frankly shocking slap at Wright last year with his comment to The New Yorker that Wright isn't a superstar. But Wright's support among high-level Mets people generally is extremely strong. Mets COO Jeff Wilpon long has been a Wright backer, for instance. Two things you can count on: 1) Wright isn't going anywhere in trade this summer, and 2) the Mets will try to lock up Wright to a longterm deal, if not this season than this winter. Mets general manager Sandy Alderson agreed with my text to him that it would take something "extraordinary'' and "unforeseen'' for Wright to be traded this summer. Loosely translated, that means he ain't going anywhere. The only reason they give themselves even the slightest bit of opening is they understandably don't want to be seen as liars in the event something "extraordinary'' and "unforeseen'' does happen.

Wright told the Post on Monday: "There haven't been any talks. That's about it."

• In Monday's victory, Murphy extended his hitting streak to 10 games and Wright scored on a botched rundown in the eighth after reaching on a double. Wright went 1-for-3. He now is hitting .398. The Mets won a game in which they produced three hits or fewer for the first time since Aug. 27, 2010, in a 2-1 win against Nelson Figueroa and the Houston Astros. Read Monday's game recaps in the Post, Times, Record, Daily News, Newsday and Star-Ledger.

• Will Batista's groin injury be an issue? Stay tuned, although he downplayed the issue. As for why this start was better than his first since taking over for Chris Schwinden in Mike Pelfrey's slot (four runs, two earned, in 5 1/3 innings at Philadelphia), Batista said: "It takes a little time for me to get acclimated to the starting rotation."

• Arbitrator Shyam Das, who ruled in favor of Ryan Braun in the 2011 NL MVP's successful challenge to the chain of custody of a drug test, has been fired by Major League Baseball, the Associated Press reported. On the same day, MLB and the union agreed to set aside a 100-game suspension being served by Eliezer Alfonzo, whose sample was handled similarly by a collector before being shipped to the laboratory and tested.

• Jenrry Mejia allowed one run in six innings in his second minor league game with Class A St. Lucie. He allowed three hits, including a solo homer to former Mets farmhand Stefan Welch, while striking out seven and walking none. Nine of the 10 outs in play were on the ground. Chris Young goes for St. Lucie on Tuesday. Young is scripted to move to Triple-A Buffalo after that outing. It would not be unreasonable to expect Mejia to now move to a higher level, too. Mejia is working as a starting pitcher during this spurt, but it is entirely conceivable his contribution in the majors this season is in the bullpen. He is returning from May 16, 2011 Tommy John surgery.

• Jeurys Familia allowed one run on five hits in five innings in Triple-A Buffalo's 9-3 win at Charlotte. Read the full minor league recap here.

• Jason Bay (fractured rib) has been cleared to begin baseball activities for the first time since suffering the injury on April 23. He had been limited to a stationary bicycle. Collins said during Monday's pregame show that Bay "probably" assumes the bulk of left-field duty, but the manager added that he needed to find significant playing time for Kirk Nieuwenhuis as well, so how to accommodate all his outfielders will be interesting. Read more in the Record, Newsday and Star-Ledger.

TRIVIA: What college did Dillon Gee attend?

Monday's answer: Batista has eight career wins against the Los Angeles Dodgers, the most of any opponent.

A tight groin couldn't keep Miguel Batista from pitching a gem.

Batista tossed seven scoreless innings and picked up his first win of the year in the Mets' 3-1 victory over the Brewers Monday night. He yielded just four hits and beat the Brewers for the first time 1999, when he was with the Montreal Expos.

Batista said he's had the groin issue for about five to six days and it hasn't improved or regressed. He can feel the pull, but there is no pain. He's going to keep an eye on it and the doctor told him they will evaluate how he's feeling Tuesday. Batista spoke to reporters with a wrap around his left leg and groin after the game.

During the game, Mets manager Terry Collins noticed Batista limping and was concerned about the 41-year-old. Batista quickly assured his manager that everything was OK.

"I told him it's been going on for a while so don't worry about it," Batista said.

While Collins said he pulled Batista because the starter's groin started to tighten up, the 41-year-old had already thrown 108 pitches. Milwaukee did not manage many well-hit balls against Batista, going 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position against him.

"He struggled early with his command, he was behind a lot, but he made key pitches when he had to and what he does is he has the ability to expand the strike zone," Collins said. "When he needs it, he makes a quality pitch."

THE SQUEEZE: The Mets executed a perfect suicide squeeze in the sixth.

With the Mets leading 1-0 with Daniel Murphy on third and one out, Ronny Cedeno faked a bunt on the first pitch. After seeing that, Collins called for the squeeze, believing he could take advantage of the situation. Cedeno laid down a beautiful bunt to the left of pitcher's mound and Murphy scored before opposing pitcher Yovani Gallardo could make a play.

"The execution was perfect," Collins said. "I had the right guy at the plate. I don't there is a better execution of fundamentals of the game than Ronny Cedeno. He's as good as it gets."

BAY CLEARED: Left fielder Jason Bay has been cleared to resume baseball activities and will begin those tomorrow. He has a fractured left rib and believes he'll head down to Florida to start working with Single-A St. Lucie after the Mets conclude this four-game homestand Thursday. He's been out of action for more than three weeks but said he feels better.

He expects his rehab to be a progression, including running and hitting, although he's not sure exactly what activities will take place and when. Collins said Bay will play in some minor league rehab games before he returns to Flushing.

Mets outfielder Jason Bay was scheduled to meet with the team doctor Monday to see if he can be cleared for baseball activities. The left fielder has been on the disabled list since April 24 with a fractured rib and said it feels much better.

"I kind of feel like it's time we can start doing some stuff right now," Bay said. "I may not be able to get out on the field and crank out BP right now, but I feel definitely like there's the progression I can start doing and hopefully be ready pretty quick."

Bay has been riding the bike for the past three weeks and he said the doctor told him the timeline for his injury would be three to six weeks. He's not sure what his next step would be in terms of physical activity, but he would head to Single-A St. Lucie.

The left fielder recently had the flu, and surprisingly said he felt it helped him.

"Next day came in rode the bike and I called the trainer and said, 'oddly I feel way better than I thought I would. I feel sore but I didn't do any damage,'" Bay said. "I felt like I did something productive oddly enough."

Manager Terry Collins guessed that it would be about seven to 10 days after Bay starts baseball activity that he could return. The manager would want to see Bay play in some rehab assignment games and do some running before he returns to Flushing.

THOLE AND JOHNSON: Collins said that catcher Josh Thole is still resting comfortably as he recovers from a concussion he suffered in a collision last Monday against Philadelphia. Fellow catcher Rob Johnson's thumb is still hurting, but he likely could play if needed Monday. A foul ball caught his left thumb during Sunday's loss to Miami.

"I told Rob, and I know how tough he is, that might be the worst reaction I've seen of a catcher getting hit on a foul tip," Collins said. "But if we need him, most likely he can play."

Ruben Tejada is eligible to return from the disabled list May 22, but his absence appears as though it will extend beyond 15 days.

Terry Collins indicated that Tejada (strained right quadriceps) is in Port St. Lucie, Fla., but has not been cleared to do any activity yet. Tejada suffered the injury and tumbled as he reached first base last Sunday at Citi Field trying to leg out a single.

Ronny Cedeno will start a third straight game at shortstop Sunday since being activated from the DL.

Collins considered giving Jordany Valdespin the start instead because the manager felt Valdespin might have success against Marlins right-hander Carlos Zambrano. But with the Marlins using an all-righty lineup (with three switch-hitters -- Jose Reyes, Emilio Bonifacio and Zambrano) against southpaw Jon Niese, Collins wanted to use his best available defensive shortstop.

• Jason Bay (fractured rib) is due to be examined in New York this week before being cleared to proceed to Florida to begin baseball activities.

• Josh Thole (concussion) remains under orders not do to things such as driving a car. Doctors told Thole he was permitted no activity for the first week after colliding with Ty Wigginton in Philadelphia last Monday.