Pagan closer to returning than Reyes

ATLANTA - The Mets' running game has ground to a halt with the injuries to Jose Reyes and Angel Pagan, two of the top base-stealers in the National League. Both were out of the starting lineup again for last night's series finale against the Braves, and their absence makes life that much tougher for an offense that has had few answers lately.

Pagan, who did come in as a defensive replacement Thursday night, has been dealing with right wrist tendinitis, and manager Jerry Manuel briefly considered starting him. But Pagan still reported some discomfort after taking batting practice indoors. He had the right wrist wrapped in black tape, like a boxer, in an effort to make it feel better while holding a bat.

"I'm trying to see what works," said Pagan, who had last played Monday but has been bothered by the wrist for a while. "I just want to be healthy."

Pagan is expected to start Friday for the Cubs series in Chicago, but Reyes' return is more difficult to pinpoint. He has been taking batting practice but still feels some discomfort in the oblique.

With the Mets out of the race, it's time to raise the question whether Reyes should just take his time to heal completely for next year. He has no plans to push it - the oblique strain never fully disappeared the first time - and that could hurt his chances of catching Pagan's stolen-base total. Pagan was third in the NL with 32 stolen bases; Reyes was tied for fourth with 28 heading into Thursday night. "They're among the elite in that area," Manuel said. "And you have two of them at the top, they create a lot of problems for the opposition."

Nickeas promoted

The Mets recalled Mike Nickeas, 27, from Triple-A Buffalo for last night's game, once again giving them three catchers. Nickeas, who almost quit baseball last year, rebounded to bat .283 with five home runs and 33 RBIs in 82 games for Double-A Binghamton before he was promoted to the Bisons.