Jason Bay #44 of the New York Mets reacts after...

Jason Bay #44 of the New York Mets reacts after striking out against the Arizona Diamondbacks. (July 20, 2010) Credit: Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA - What initially was described as a "mild concussion" for Jason Bay is becoming a more serious concern for the Mets, who were told Thursday that the leftfielder is not yet "symptom-free."

Bay first experienced headaches on the cross-country flight home after the July 25 game in Los Angeles, but he was not put on the disabled list until five days later.

He is eligible to come off the disabled list on Tuesday, but that no longer seems to be a possibility. He could be sidelined for up to another two weeks.

The Mets learned from Ryan Church in 2008 that treating concussions can be an inexact science and that it is better to be safe than sorry. Knowing that, they will wait a considerable period after Bay finally is free of the concussion symptoms before allowing him to play again.

With Church, the Mets examined him closely during a rehab stint before clearing his return to the field.

As for the prognosis on Bay, who has remained in New York, all the Mets can do is check on him periodically.

"That's in the hands of our doctors," general manager Omar Minaya said, "and each case is different.''

Tejada, F-Mart: What's up?

Infielder Ruben Tejada and outfielder Fernando Martinez were scratched from Triple-A Buffalo's starting lineup Friday night.

Minaya would not reveal his plans late Friday night after the Mets' 7-5 loss to the Phillies, but it's likely that Tejada and Martinez are headed to Philadelphia to replace other players being dealt, perhaps even infielder Alex Cora and outfielder Jeff Francoeur.

There also is the possibility that Tejada and Martinez could be packaged in a trade, but with the Mets already 8½ games out, dealing the two players at this point seems like too little, too late.

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