Mets third baseman David Wright and Dodgers pitcher Hiroki Kuroda were released from the hospital yesterday, and Texas second baseman Ian Kinsler was back in the lineup after all three took balls off their heads Saturday.

New York spokesman Jay Horwitz said Wright was examined by a neurologist Saturday night and again this morning before being sent home. The All-Star third baseman still had a headache and was experiencing "post-concussion symptoms," Horwitz said.

Wright was hit square on the helmet by a 94 mph fastball from Matt Cain in New York's 5-4, 10-inning loss to the San Francisco Giants.

When asked if Wright could miss the rest of the season, New York manager Jerry Manuel said it's "a possibility" depending on how further tests come out. The club placed him on the 15-day DL after a 3-2 victory over the Giants.

"I do believe we have to be cautious with this," Manuel said, "and we will be."

A CT scan on Kuroda was negative and the right-hander was scheduled for more tests by Los Angeles neurologist Dr. Vernon Williams today.

"I feel lucky to be alive and to be able to get back on the mound again," Kuroda said after Los Angeles' 9-3 victory over Arizona yesterday. "You never know what is going to happen in this game."

The 34-year-old Kuroda crumpled to the mound after pinch-hitter Rusty Ryal's liner deflected off the right side of his head and landed near the Arizona on-deck circle before bouncing into the stands for a ground-rule double.

Kinsler homered and drove in two runs a day after Fernando Cabrera's fastball bounced off his shoulder and struck him in the batting helmet. He got up off the ground quickly and exchanged words with Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek before taking first base.

Kinsler said everything was fine after he spoke with the Boston captain.

"When a ball comes at your face like that, you don't have time to think," Kinsler said before Texas' 4-3 win over Boston yesterday. "Me and Varitek had some words. We were able to talk after the game and put it behind us."

CUBS

ZAMBRANO TO REHAB

Chicago right-hander Carlos Zambrano is scheduled to make a rehab start for Class A Peoria on Thursday before returning Aug. 25 against the Washington Nationals.

Zambrano, on the 15-day disabled list with back spasms, threw a side session yesterday and is expected to throw another side session tomorrow before his rehab start for Peoria.

Zambrano (7-4) was scheduled to pitch against Colorado on Aug. 7, but was scratched 15 minutes before the game with stiffness in his lower back.

YANKEES

MATSUI SIDELINED

Hideki Matsui was out of the New York Yankees lineup because of swelling in his balky knee and is out indefinitely.

Manager Joe Girardi said yesterday the designated hitter may have his surgically repaired left knee drained.

Matsui had arthroscopic surgery on his knee last Sept. 22, and Girardi has used him exclusively at DH in 80 starts this season.

ELSEWHERE

Mariners: Seattle signed shortstop Nick Franklin, the second of its two first-round draft picks, yesterday.

Franklin's agent David Meter told The Associated Press that Franklin will get a $1.28 million signing bonus.

The Mariners would not say yesterday whether they will sign Dustin Ackley, the second overall pick, before tonight's deadline. If he isn't signed by then, the University of North Carolina hitting star would go back into the draft next year.

Blue Jays: Left-hander Brett Cecil (5-1) is scheduled to rejoin Toronto's rotation Thursday against the Boston Red Sox. Cecil hurt his left knee Aug. 8.