New York Mets center fielder Carlos Beltran sat out yesterday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers because of tightness in his right hamstring.

Beltran was hurt in Saturday's 8-2 loss to the Brewers when he nearly collided in a play at first base with Prince Fielder. He left the game in the eighth inning.

"I went to see the doctor after the game and he said it was nothing major," Beltran said. "But I woke up Sunday feeling sore."

Beltran reported the injury to Mets manager Willie Randolph and they decided he would take yesterday off and see how the injury responds to treatment and anti-inflammatories.

"I'll take it easy today and then we'll see about tomorrow," Beltran said. "To me, it's nothing major"

He missed only 11 games last season, the first year of his six-year, $119 million contract with the Mets, but his production was limited first by a quad injury and then by a concussion after an outfield collision with Mike Cameron.

"Last year, I tried to play through the quad and it didn't work the way I wanted," he said. "I didn't take the time to heal completely."

He said he hoped to return to the Mets lineup today for the start of a three-game series with the Atlanta Braves.

ELSEWHERE

Twins: Minnesota purchased the contract of veteran Ruben Sierra and optioned rookie outfielder Jason Kubel to Triple-A Rochester. Sierra stayed behind for extended spring training in Florida while he rehabilitated a strained quadriceps, and went 3 for 12 with a double and one RBI in three games with the Single-A Fort Myers. Kubel was 3 for 16 (.188) with one RBI for the Twins.

Cubs: Chicago outfielder Angel Pagan went on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left hamstring and was replaced on the 25-man roster by right-hander David Aardsma. Pagan, a rookie hitting .263 in nine games, was injured running out a ground ball Saturday night in Pittsburgh. Aardsma was 1-0 with two saves in five scoreless appearances for Iowa.

Padres: San Diego catcher Doug Mirabelli was removed from the starting lineup for yesterday's game against Atlanta because of lower back stiffness. Mirabelli had been listed as the starting catcher and cleanup hitter as the Padres were resting Mike Piazza after Saturday night's 2-0 loss to Atlanta.

Pirates: Pittsburgh catcher Ryan Doumit went on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left hamstring, and catcher Ronny Paulino was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis. The roster move was retroactive to April 12. Doumit is hitting .200 with two homers and four RBIs.

Brewers: Milwaukee placed right-handed pitcher Rick Helling on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained right elbow. Helling appeared in two games for Milwaukee, allowing no runs in three innings.