Carlos Delgado had hip surgery yesterday, and the New York Mets expect their slugging first baseman to return to the lineup in late July.

Delgado had arthroscopic surgery at the Hospital for Special Surgery, and the Mets said he will need a recovery period of about 10 weeks.

"I feel very confident about this," Mets general manager Omar Minaya said during a conference call, "but, of course, you don't know that until the guy goes out there and rehabs. But guys have had this before and there's a good track record in that range of 10 weeks. So we hope that that's the case."

Delgado was diagnosed with an impingement of the hip, a bone spur and torn labrum.

ELSEWHERE

Red Sox: First baseman Kevin Youkilis was hitless in his two-game rehab assignment with Pawtucket.

Youkilis was 0 for 4 yesterday in a 4-2 win against Buffalo and finished his assignment hitless in six at-bats.

Youkilis is scheduled to rejoin Boston today.

Athletics: Third baseman Eric Chavez has a herniated disk and could be facing career-ending surgery if he injuries his back again.

Chavez, rehabbing in Arizona, was moved from the 15- to 60-day disabled list yesterday. He was placed on the DL May 1 with a strained right forearm, a move retroactive to April 25. He experienced back spasms May 10 and underwent an MRI exam one day later.

Giants: Left-hander Noah Lowry was scheduled to undergo surgery yesterday to remove the first rib on his left side, due to symptoms from thoracic outlet syndrome.

The team said a prognosis for recovery won't be determined until after surgery.

Nationals: Center fielder Elijah Dukes was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left hamstring following last night's 8-5 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates.