--3B David Wright tried changing his luck by getting a crew cut. Wright, who was hitting .200 with runners in scoring position this season, then had an RBI single and a triple in the Mets' 7-1 win against the Nationals on Monday. "I'm more aerodynamic," Wright quipped.
--LHP Casey Fossum was designated for assignment after tossing 2 2/3 innings in relief Sunday against Washington. He will be replaced on the roster by LHP Ken Takahashi. The 40-year-old Takahashi pitched his entire career in Japan and spent spring training with the Blue Jays before being released. Takahashi had allowed one run in 11 2/3 innings for Triple-A Buffalo. --OF Fernando Tatis received his 2008 NL Comeback Player of the Year award before Sunday's game. Tatis, who was out of baseball in '04 and '05, hit .297 with 11 homers and 47 RBI in 92 games last season before suffering a season-ending separated shoulder injury on Sept. 16.
--INF Mike Lamb signed a minor-league contract with the Mets. Lamb, who was released by the Brewers at the end of spring training, will be assigned to Triple-A Buffalo after getting back into playing shape at the Mets' complex in Port St. Lucie, Fla.
BY THE NUMBERS: 23 -- Strikeouts by 3B David Wright in 70 at-bats through Sunday, the most in the National League.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I'm not going to come out and make a decision. With the mood I'm in at this point, it wouldn't be right. I'm going to hold off on that. I'm going to try to breathe." -- Manager Jerry Manuel, on whether Oliver Perez will remain in the rotation after his ERA swelled to 9.31 by giving up seven runs in 4 1/3 innings against the Nationals on Sunday.
