Maine has rotator cuff tendinitis

John Maine has been officially diagnosed with rotator cuff tendinitis after an MRI exam at Manhattan's Hospital for Special Surgery Monday.

Maine reluctantly went on the 15-day disabled list Friday with what was termed shoulder weakness at the time. He still was protesting the decision Saturday before he had even gone for an MRI, saying he had some shoulder pain, but not enough to keep him from taking his regular turn in the rotation.

The Mets said in a release that Maine will begin throwing again "as tolerated." Maine said Saturday that he fully expects to come off the disabled list the first week of June, but that might change now with the diagnosis.

Maine will begin a rehab program immediately, but if he won't be throwing soon, his absence could be much longer than a couple of weeks.

Maine had a lesion removed from the back of his shoulder socket in September 2008 and missed three months of last season with a tired shoulder.

Murphy off DL, in Buffalo

The Mets activated Daniel Murphy from the DL and sent him to Triple-A Buffalo. Murphy had been on the DL since April 5 with a sprained knee ligament.

Murphy was 8-for-11 with a homer and six RBIs in three games of a rehab assignment with Class A St. Lucie. No word on what position he'll focus on in Buffalo, but he had been playing first base in the Florida State League.