Uribe showing little improvement, to go for tests

PHILADELPHIA -- Almost a week after aggravating a chest injury, infielder Juan Uribe is showing "very little improvement," according to manager Terry Collins, prompting the Mets to schedule medical tests for him on Friday.

The Mets are particularly concerned about Uribe, a right-handed hitter, because of his perceived value in the National League Division Series. The Dodgers are expected to use left-handed starters in as many as four of the five games, making Uribe -- a .272/.350/.543 hitter against lefty pitchers vs. .246/.310/.373 against righties this season -- important. He is capable of playing second and third base, and is a career .281 pinch-hitter.

Video: NYM@CIN: Uribe leaves game with chest discomfort

Uribe originally injured his chest diving for a ball on Sept. 20 against the Yankees. He rested it for several games, before aggravating the injury last weekend in Cincinnati, and has shown little improvement since. The issue, Collins said, involves the area where his clavicle meets his sternum.

Overall this season, Uribe is hitting .253 with 14 home runs in 119 games, the last 44 of them for the Mets. He could receive instructional league at-bats next week in Port St. Lucie, Fla., in advance of the postseason.