By BART HUBBUCH

Last updated: 7:11 am
July 4, 2008
Posted: 4:37 am
July 4, 2008

ST. LOUIS -- The Mets decided yesterday that Luis Castillo's health was too much of a distraction, finally placing the gimpy second baseman on the DL with a strained left hip flexor.

Castillo's availability (or lack thereof) had been a constant issue for Jerry Manuel the past two weeks, so the Mets figured now was a good time to let Castillo get healthy with the All-Star break coming up.

Castillo appeared briefly Wednesday against the Cardinals, so his 15-day DL clock started yesterday. Damion Easley will be the primary replacement, though second baseman Argenis Reyes was recalled from Triple-A New Orleans.

"We felt that it was somewhat hindering our flow," Manuel said of Castillo's chronic ailments. "We felt if we could get the All-Star break and get him to rehab that, we felt this was the best time for it. He was [also] ready to get some answers."

Castillo, who is coming off arthroscopic surgery on both knees in the offseason, had an MRI exam on his lower body yesterday.

Moises Alou's return from the DL has been pushed back even further after his rehab from a strained left calf was hampered by bad weather in Florida this week.

Alou now isn't expected back until next week, meaning he will miss this weekend's key NL East series at Philadelphia. The Mets recalled outfielder Chris Aguila to occupy Alou's roster spot.

Manuel said outfielder Angel Pagan, sidelined since May 13 by left shoulder injury, has decided against surgery after showing surprising improvement in recent days.

The Reds reclaimed infielder Andy Phillips off waivers yesterday after Phillips appeared in just four games for the Mets before being designated.