Cuddyer sidelined with neck stiffness

SAN DIEGO -- Just as Mets outfielder Michael Cuddyer was beginning to catch fire, a nagging neck ailment forced him to the sideline.

Cuddyer sat out Wednesday against the Padres with a stiff neck, which began bothering him late in Tuesday's game. Neck issues are nothing new for Cuddyer, who has experienced them throughout his 15-year career. But he classified this latest episode as relatively minor, calling it less severe than a Spring Training bout that forced him to miss two games.

"It just happens," Cuddyer said. "It's happened to me for years, even back in the early, early days in Minnesota. I don't know if it's certain hotels, certain pillows, certain beds."

Cuddyer, who was available to pinch-hit, entered Wednesday with an eight-game hitting streak and a .387 average over that span, lifting his overall slash line to .271/.333/.409 in 49 games. In his absence, Darrell Ceciliani started in left.

"I was hoping that it would be all right overnight," Cuddyer said. "I came in and it was just a little stiff. Nothing horrible."