New York Mets: Catcher Mike Piazza was out of the lineup Wednesday night with inflammation in his left knee, another blow to New York's struggling offense.

	Piazza

"Especially the way he's swinging," manager Art Howe said. "But you have to be physically able to play."

Piazza, the cleanup hitter, already has missed six games, four because of a suspension. He's raised his average from .147 on April 15 to .300 by hitting .444 (16-for-36) with three homers, five doubles and all five of his RBI.

Howe hoped Piazza could play in the series finale Thursday. Vance Wilson caught Wednesday and Cliff Floyd batted fourth. New York began the night last in the NL with a .229 average, and tied for last with 93 runs.

"I would think it's day to day," Howe said. "From time to time, he's had a problem with it."

Piazza might have irritated the condition making a sliding catch at the screen of a foul pop on Tuesday.

The Mets also recalled right-hander Jason Middlebrook from Norfolk and optioned left-hander Jaime Cerda to the Triple-A team. It's the second callup in two weeks for Middlebrook, who allowed one run in one inning April 17 at Pittsburgh and was optioned the following day.

Milwaukee Brewers: Brooks Kieschnick successfully made the transition from a major league position player to pitcher Wednesday when the Brewers purchased his contract from Triple-A Indianapolis.

He is the first major league player to make the switch since Ron Mahay, an outfielder with Boston in 1995 before pitching for four major league teams from 1997 to 2002.

Kieschnick will be a right-handed relief pitcher for the Brewers and a left-handed pinch hitter.

Kieschnick was 1-0 with an 8.49 ERA at Triple-A this year and 0-for-9 with a walk at the plate. He pitched two innings during the Indian's 6-0 loss to Louisville on Wednesday, giving up two runs on two hits and three walks.

A roster spot opened when right-hander Todd Ritchie was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a tired right shoulder, a move retroactive to April 25.

Toronto Blue Jays: Left-hander Doug Davis was claimed off waivers from the Texas Rangers.

Davis gave up four runs and four hits in his only start this for Texas this season. The 27-year-old pitcher has a career record of 21-21 with a 5.09 ERA in 73 games, including 54 starts.

The Rangers designated Davis for assignment April 27.

The Blue Jays are desperate for pitching. Entering Wednesday's game against Texas, no Toronto pitcher had an ERA below 4.00.

"We're taking a flyer," Toronto general manager J.P. Ricciardi said. "It's worth a chance. I don't want to you to think that Andy Pettitte is coming here to pitch for us on Saturday."

Ricciardi said Davis will be a starter. Pete Walker will be moved to Toronto's bullpen, which has a league-worst 6.18 ERA. Walker allowed eight runs and 10 hits in his last start.

The Rangers designated Davis for assignment April 27.

Texas Rangers: Catcher Todd Greene was placed on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained right hamstring.

Greene left Tuesday night's game after running out a ground ball in the seventh inning. The Rangers recalled catcher Gerald Laird from Triple-A Oklahoma.