SAN FRANCISCO — The New York Mets are down a key man in the heart of their batting order, and Carlos Delgado could be out for a prolonged period of time.

The slugger was placed on the 15-day disabled list yesterday with an impingement of his right hip, and Mets manager Jerry Manuel believes it could be a while before he's back.

"He never got away from being uncomfortable," Manuel said. "We felt it was time to make a decision and that was the decision we came to — to go ahead and give it some time."

The move is retroactive to May 11, the first baseman's last game. Delgado left the team before yesterday's game against the San Francisco Giants and was to be re-evaluated this week. It's unclear whether Delgado will opt to have surgery — something Manuel said he will leave up to his star player and doctors to discuss.

Delgado is batting .298 with four homers and 23 RBIs in 26 games.

"Obviously Delgado is a very, very important part of what we do and we'll monitor what goes on and what happens with him," Manuel said. "For the most part, we have to try to get people we have here ready to go."

The Mets called up Angel Pagan from Triple-A Buffalo to take Delgado's spot on the roster.

ELSEWHERE

Angels: Los Angeles starter John Lackey was ejected after throwing only two pitches in his season debut. The first pitch thrown by Lackey went behind the head of Texas' Ian Kinsler, who homered twice Friday night. The next pitch hit Kinsler in the side of his upper body and home plate umpire Bob Davidson ejected Lackey.

Nationals: Washington left-handed starter Scott Olsen felt tightness in the shoulder during the game and had an MRI following yesterday's 8-5 loss to Philadelphia after allowing six runs and nine hits over five innings, dropping his record to 1-4 and increasing his ERA to 7.24.

Rangers: Texas closer Frank Francisco was put on the 15-day disabled list yesterday, even after completing a bullpen session in which he felt no pain. The right-hander hasn't pitched since May 6 because of right biceps tendinitis. He has made 25 consecutive scoreless appearances, including 14 this season.