Mets' Kirk Nieuwenhuis out again with injured hand

Kirk Nieuwenhuis missed his second consecutive game Wednesday with a right hand injury. The Mets decided to add infielder/outfielder Jordany Valdespin to the roster to provide an extra bat and designated former Long Island Ducks lefthander Justin Hampson for assignment.

They also optioned Jeremy Hefner to Triple-A Buffalo after he allowed three runs in 11/3 innings in the Mets' 9-2 loss to the Phillies. Pedro Beato was called up after the game.

Nieuwenhuis' injury is a bit of a mystery. He felt pain while taking a swing behind the cage during batting practice Tuesday and was scratched from that night's lineup.

Nieuwenhuis doesn't recall diving or sliding or doing anything else to hurt his hand. He had an MRI Tuesday; the Mets did not disclose the results, but Nieuwenhuis said he felt better Wednesday.

Nieuwenhuis had surgery on the hand in 2009 to remove a broken hamate bone. He said he thought the new injury might be nerve-related.

"It's the first time that I felt it," he said. "I don't think there's anything that's broken."

As for Valdespin, this is his fourth stint with the Mets. He hit .222 with two home runs and 12 RBIs in the previous three.

Hampson, who pitched in four games for the Ducks in 2010, appeared in three games for the Mets and allowed two unearned runs in 11/3 innings.

Extra bases

In five games against the Phillies at home, the Mets' bullpen has a 13.14 ERA . . . Daniel Murphy (1-for-4) is batting .467 (14-for-30) in his last seven starts . . . Ruben Tejada (2-for-4) is 17-for-43 (.395) since returning from the disabled list June 24 . . . Chase Utley's home run was his sixth at Citi Field, tied with Raul Ibañez for most by an opponent.