Carlos Delgado landed on the disabled list Saturday with a right hip impingement. He could be headed to the operating table as well.
Delgado is scheduled to meet with a hip specialist affiliated with the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan on Monday to discuss his options. Delgado has a bone spur in the hip joint and at least a small tear of the labrum. If he undergoes surgery, the absence could be as long as two months, depending on the extent of the procedure. "That's getting too far ahead," Mets VP Tony Bernazard said.
Manager Jerry Manuel is bracing for a prolonged absence.
"He tried a number of things to get better, to get comfort, and could never find it," Manuel said. "I don't anticipate this (only) being a 15-day thing."
The Mets activated outfielder Angel Pagan from the disabled list to take Delgado's roster spot. Pagan underwent March 11 surgery to remove a bone spur from his right elbow.
With Delgado out, Gary Sheffield has assumed the cleanup spot. As for first base, the Mets will use a trio of players inexperienced at the position: Fernando Tatis, Jeremy Reed and Daniel Murphy.
GIANTS 2, METS 0: The Mets were shut out for the first time this season after failing to capitalize on three straight walks by San Francisco's Matt Cain to open the second inning. Mike Pelfrey suffered his first loss this season and tied a franchise record with three balks. The Mets lost for only the third time in 14 games.
