NEW YORK — Mets outfielder Moises Alou will undergo an MRI on Monday to try to determine the cause of swelling in his left ankle.

On the 15-day disabled list after hernia surgery, Alou has been in extended spring training in Florida. But he will return to New York for the test after the ankle swelled up two straight days, general manager Omar Minaya said Sunday.

While Minaya insisted Alou probably is close to returning to the Mets and characterized the MRI as precautionary, he said a preliminary scan showed "something" in the ankle, possibly a slight fracture.

"According to him, he feels comfortable. He wanted to play," Minaya said. "We said no, we don't want him to play. We want to make sure that our doctors look at him."

Catcher Brian Schneider remained in the hospital Sunday receiving treatment for an infected left thumb. Minaya said he expects Schneider to be released Monday, then it could be another day or two before he'd be ready to play.