Now it's Jason Bay out with injured finger

PHILADELPHIA -- Who knew that finger injuries were contagious?

The day after David Wright returned from a three-game absence because of a fractured right pinkie finger, Jason Bay was scratched from Sunday's lineup because of what the Mets described as a jammed right ring finger. "It's a jammed finger epidemic that's going around," Bay said.

Bay suffered the injury diving back into first base -- the same way Wright hurt himself -- during Saturday's 5-0 win over the Phillies. At the time, he had the finger taped up and stayed in the game. X-rays showed no fracture, but the finger's condition worsened overnight.

"It was fine," Bay said. "Then I got up [Sunday] morning and it was bruised and swollen. I had a tough time. I can't really get it around the bat, so I hope that once I get the swelling out, it will be fine."

Bay didn't rule out pinch hitting but didn't sound too eager to try it, either. "Ideal, no," he said. "But doable, yes."

Terry Collins had planned to give Lucas Duda the day off, but after learning of Bay's problem, the manager chose to start Scott Hairston in leftfield, Duda in right and Kirk Nieuwenhuis in center.

After the game, Collins was asked if Bay will be ready to play in Monday night's series opener against the Braves at Turner Field. "I don't know," he said.

Collins said Andres Torres, on the disabled list with a strained calf, is only playing catch and hitting off a tee in Port St. Lucie. He has not yet been cleared to run . . . Wright had two more singles Sunday, has hit safely in all six games in which he has played and is batting .571 (12-for-21).