Mets put closer Francisco on DL, activate Tejada

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NEW YORK -- Mets closer Frank Francisco was placed on the 15-day disabled list Sunday with a strained muscle on his left side, and shortstop Ruben Tejada returned to the lineup after missing seven weeks with a leg injury.

Tejada batted second against the New York Yankees. He had been on the DL since May 7 with a strained right quadriceps.

The Mets also activated reliever Ramon Ramirez (hamstring) from the disabled list and optioned infielder Jordany Valdespin to Triple-A Buffalo.

Francisco saved a 6-4 victory over the Yankees on Friday night but was unavailable Saturday. He had an MRI on Sunday and was put on the DL about 75 minutes before the game.

The right-hander has converted 18 of 21 save chances in his first season with New York. Mets manager Terry Collins said Bobby Parnell would probably be his closer Sunday night, but losing an ace reliever can have consequences for the rest of the bullpen.

"When you lose that guy, now it disrupts all the little pieces that you had in place to get there and puts guys in different roles and different situations," Collins said. "It can be a thing that can really affect you, but we're going to have to deal with it."

First baseman Ike Davis, scratched from the lineup Saturday and sent home with food poisoning, was back at the ballpark and feeling much better. He was available off the bench.

Collins said Davis estimated he was 75 percent.

"Still looks a little piqued to me," Collins said. "I know exactly how he feels."

Collins said Saturday he wanted Tejada to play a few more minor league rehab games before coming off the DL to make sure his legs were strong and he had his timing down at the plate. But on Sunday, Collins said he had spoken with Triple-A Buffalo manager Wally Backman, who told him Tejada was ready to return.

Collins also acknowledged the Mets could really use another right-handed bat as soon as possible.

"We just know he's a big part of the lineup," Collins said.

Ramirez strained his right hamstring running in from the bullpen to celebrate Johan Santana's no-hitter on June 1.

Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press

This story is from ESPN.com's automated news wire. Wire index

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