Vaughn Sidelined by Broken Hand

New York Met first baseman Mo Vaughn is back on the disabled list with a small break just below the pinkie of his right hand.

Vaughn was hit by a pitch from Pittsburgh’s Jimmy Anderson in the first inning Thursday. Vaughn did not think the injury was serious, stayed in the game and played the next day in Atlanta.

But he felt pain during the weekend, sat out Saturday and Sunday, and learned of the break after an X-ray Monday.

The team put Vaughn on the disabled list and recalled outfielder Timo Perez from triple-A Norfolk. Vaughn, 34, is eligible to be activated April 21.

Vaughn, acquired in an off-season trade, struggled with injuries during three seasons with the Angels. He twisted his ankle on opening day in 1999 and never really recovered, then missed all of 2001 with a torn tendon in his left biceps.

Met General Manager Steve Phillips was worried that if Vaughn continued to play, a larger break could develop if the hand got hit again. When he returns, Vaughn probably will wear padding under his batting glove.

Greg Maddux threw for 20 minutes in the bullpen and is expected to start Friday when the Atlanta Braves play at Florida.

Maddux has missed two starts, including his opening-day assignment last week, because of an inflamed nerve in his lower back.

The four-time National League Cy Young Award winner had never been on the disabled list in his 15-year career.

The injury originally was diagnosed as a strained muscle in Maddux’s right hip, but an MRI exam last Tuesday showed three inflamed areas in his right hip and buttocks area.

Maddux is eligible to come off the disabled list Wednesday, and had been hoping to pitch against the Phillies. But Brave Manager Bobby Cox said there’s no reason to rush his ace so early in the season.

Ken Griffey Jr. stayed in Cincinnati to begin rehabilitating his injured knee and the Reds replaced him on their roster with Ruben Mateo as they began a trip in Pittsburgh.

Griffey partially tore the patella tendon and partially dislocated his right kneecap during a rundown in Sunday’s game against Montreal.

The Reds are hoping Griffey can return to action in three to six weeks, but if he needs an operation, he could be out for the rest of the season, team physician Timothy Kremchek said.

Griffey, who was bothered during spring training by tendinitis in the knee, was hurt as he was being tagged by Montreal third baseman Chris Truby in the seventh inning. Griffey had tried to score from third on a grounder and was trapped in a rundown.

Last year, Griffey missed most of the first three months because of a partially torn left hamstring.

Mateo was originally in the Reds’ starting lineup Monday in right field against the Pirates, but was scratched because of a head cold and replaced by Adam Dunn. Juan Encarnacion replaced Griffey in center field.

Florida Marlin catcher Charles Johnson, who missed the first week of the season with a sprained left thumb, was activated from the disabled list and started the team’s home opener Monday against Montreal. He went 0 for 2 with a strikeout.