NEW YORK — Carlos Delgado could be put on the disabled list by the New York Mets as soon as tomorrow because of his injured right hip.

Delgado missed his third straight game yesterday against Atlanta, and Mets manager Jerry Manuel said the team likely would make a decision during a road trip that starts in San Francisco tonight.

"I think he's still somewhat sore, more than anything else," Manuel said before an 8-7, 12-inning loss to Atlanta. "I'm not confident at all. I don't want to be a pessimist, but because of the reoccurrence, it's not comforting — or I'm not confident in the fact that it will be OK. But if it's something we can manage, which is what we're trying to do, then I'm OK with that."

Delgado was injured April 26 while sliding during a triple against Washington. The 36-year-old cleanup hitter is batting .298 with four homers and 23 RBIs.