Uribe aggravates chest injury in pinch at-bat

CINCINNATI -- The lone dark cloud hovering over the Mets' 12-5 win over the Reds on Friday was an injury to Juan Uribe. The infielder aggravated a chest injury that he first suffered Sunday, and he could miss most of the Mets' final eight games.

"It is not good news," manager Terry Collins said, after Uribe aggravated his injury during a pinch-hit appearance in the eighth, during which he struck out before exiting. "He's going to miss some time. He took BP, felt fine, was hitting in the cage. So he was good and warm. But we're going to have to give him some time."

X-rays on Uribe's chest were negative, and Collins indicated that the injury may be affecting an area of cartilage more than Uribe's muscles or bones. Prior to Friday, Uribe had appeared in just one game after the Mets diagnosed him with a chest contusion, singling in a pinch-hit appearance Wednesday.

Video: NYY@NYM: Uribe shaken up on single, exits game in 5th

Uribe is batting .219 with six home runs in 143 plate appearances since the Mets acquired him from Atlanta on July 25. He figures to serve mostly as a right-handed pinch-hitter in the postseason, with the potential to start occasionally against left-handed pitchers.

"We'll just rest him, and hopefully in a few days he can start hitting again," Collins said. "We've got to make sure he's OK."