Saturday, March 21, 2009

New York Mets' Brian Schneider out indefinitely with calf strain

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- New York Mets catcher Brian Schneider is out indefinitely with a strained right calf.

Spring Training Blog

New York Mets Brian Schneider out indefinitely with calf strain

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Schneider was a late scratch from Wednesday's game after waking up with pain and stiffness behind and above his right knee. He underwent an MRI.

"There's no particular thing that I did. I just woke up with it, and it just got worse and worse as the day went on," Schneider said. "Today it's feeling better, and we'll just get more treatment."

Schneider last played Sunday. He is batting .308 with one home run and five RBIs this spring training.

If Schneider isn't ready to start the season, backup catcher Ramon Castro likely would start at the position.

Meanwhile, outfielder Carlos Beltran and first baseman Carlos Delgado resumed workouts with the Mets following Puerto Rico's elimination from the World Baseball Classic.

"We got to go home for the first round, and we played really well there," Delgado said. "It was nice to play at that intensity in March. We came up a little bit short in the end, but it was a great experience."

Manager Jerry Manuel said he likely will give Beltran and Delgado a week of rest from games.

"It was good for me because spring training to this point, you aren't playing a full game, nine innings, but we've been doing that since two weeks ago," Beltran said.