Looks like Mejia will start Saturday

ATLANTA - The Mets announced after last night's game that Jenrry Mejia and outfielder Lucas Duda will join the team Wednesday at Turner Field. That just about solidifies Mejia's Saturday start against the Cubs at Wrigley Field. Duda, who slugged 23 homers splitting time between Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Buffalo, could see time in the middle of the Mets' weak lineup.

Mejia struck out nine and allowed one run in eight innings Monday at Triple-A Buffalo with general manager Omar Minaya in attendance. Mejia's fastball reached 97 mph during the 103-pitch outing, but Minaya was most impressed by his curveball, which the 20-year-old righthander had struggled with earlier this season. Pitching coach Dan Warthen said that the staff had modified Mejia's delivery - "making it less explosive" - and that helped him better command his secondary pitches.

In nine minor-league starts, Mejia is 2-0 with a 1.28 ERA and 45 strikeouts in 421/3 innings. As for rushing him through Triple-A Buffalo, assistant GM John Ricco said that Mejia should benefit from another taste of the majors.

K-Rod's grievance

Michael Weiner, MLBPA executive director, told Newsday that Francisco Rodriguez's grievance hearing is likely to be scheduled for mid-October. Rodriguez is contesting the Mets' attempt to make the remainder of his three-year, $37-million contract, which runs through 2011, non-guaranteed after K-Rod needed season-ending surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb. The Mets say that Rodriguez injured his thumb in an alleged criminal assault on the father of his girlfriend.

Pagan sits

The Mets had to shuffle the lineup again because Angel Pagan told Manuel that he has been bothered by tendinitis in his right wrist and could benefit from the night off. Pagan had hit .222 in his last 14 games. "It's been nagging me for a little while," Pagan said.

With Ken Davidoff