Billy Wagner has a strained left forearm and will have his second MRI exam in two weeks on Tuesday, leaving the New York Mets without their closer and without starter John Maine.

Maine was placed on the 15-day disabled list Sunday with a mild strain in his right rotator cuff. He left Monday's game against the Florida Marlins after 4 1/3 innings because of pain in the shoulder.

Wagner said he felt pain in his forearm on Tuesday, when he earned his 27th save with a scoreless ninth in the Mets' 4-1 win over Florida. He blew a save chance on Saturday night and said his arm felt strong, but he struggled to locate his pitches.

The Mets didn't make a move with Wagner, but the left-hander was unavailable for their game against the Houston Astros on Sunday. New York is off today before hosting the San Diego Padres in the opener of a three-game series Tuesday night.

"When you lose Billy Wagner, that's very critical for us," manager Jerry Manuel said.

The Mets purchased right-hander Eddie Kunz's contract from Double-A Binghamton to fill Maine's roster spot.

Cubs' Wood faces batters in workout

Chicago Cubs closer Kerry Wood faced batters on Sunday but probably will not return from a pesky blister on his right index finger until later this week.

Manager Lou Piniella said Wood, out since July 11, probably will not be activated until the Cubs host the St. Louis Cardinals next weekend.

Wood threw 30 pitches to hitters from the Wrigley Field mound after warming up and getting some work done in the bullpen hours before Cubs hosted the Pittsburgh Pirates. And he did it without the protective pad he had worn recently.

"The important thing now is to see how he feels tomorrow," Piniella said. "After that, I'll put together a schedule to get him back pitching."

SHORT HOPS: The Atlanta Braves announced after Sunday's 5-0 win over the Milwaukee Brewers that Rafael Soriano, who began the season as the team's closer, will return to the disabled list for the third time this season with inflammation in the elbow.

The team will purchase the contract of left-handed reliever Francisley Bueno from Triple-A Richmond. Bueno will join the Braves today in San Francisco.

* Rick Ankiel missed his eighth straight start with an abdominal strain Sunday night, and wasn't sure when he'd be ready to return to the St. Louis Cardinals' lineup.

Batting .281 with 22 home runs and 59 RBIs, Ankiel has been limited to two pinch-hit appearances since he was injured. He struck out to end the game with the tying run on second base in a 2-1 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday, and he drew a walk on Tuesday at Atlanta.

"Hopefully, I wake up and it'll be go-time," Ankiel said. "I feel good and it's progressing and I'm just working to get back."

* The Oakland Athletics recalled left-hander Dan Meyer from Triple-A Sacramento and optioned Dana Eveland on Sunday.

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