Agbayani sidelined 2-4 weeks with bone chip in wrist

Associated Press

New York Mets outfielder Benny Agbayani will miss 2-4 weeks with a chipped bone in his left wrist after being hit by a pitch in Montreal.

"That wasn't the news I wanted to hear when I got the X-rays," Agbayani said yesterday before the Mets beat Atlanta in their home opener, 9-4.

Agbayani was placed on the 15-day disabled list and Jorge Toca was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk to replace him.

Mets general manager Steve Phillips feared a more serious injury when Agbayani was hit by a pitch from the Expos' Chris Peters in the third inning Sunday.

"It's better news than what we thought it would be," Phillips said. "I worried about a fracture being 6-8 weeks. This is a very small chip."

Agbayani previously had injured the hamate bone on a swing in 1994 and had the hook of the bone removed — a common practice for baseball players.

Agbayani stayed in the game after being hit by the pitch but left after the pain became too severe when he slid into home plate later in the inning.

The former St. Louis School and Hawai'i Pacific standout had a cast on the hand yesterday and was scheduled to see a hand specialist later.

"I can't be down," Agbayani said. "I have to stay positive. This gives me two weeks to get into better shape."

Agbayani, the Mets' starting left fielder, was 5-for-13 (.385) with one homer and five RBIs in the first week of the season.

Darryl Hamilton started in his place yesterday against the Atlanta Braves.