"The Mets' interest in Carlos Delgado, an interest that was not shared by all members of the club hierarchy after the season, may begin to wane now that the free agent has postponed his return to active baseball. Two members of the Mets' staff have said that Delgado won't resume playing until the middle of next month.

No specific reason was given for the delay, but one of the people aware of the change said on Tuesday night that Delgado probably isn't yet physically ready to play. As recently as Dec. 15, general manager Omar Minaya said that the club planned to monitor Delgado when he began to play in the Puerto Rican winter league in his native country that night.

No mention of an episode or incident that interfered with Delgado's return was made by either staff member.

Minaya said on Monday that Delgado had not resumed playing and probably wouldn't until January. Another person reiterated that on Tuesday and added that the delay -- and the reason for it -- might diminish the Mets' interest in re-signing the 37-year-old veteran of 15-plus seasons.

Delgado, who hasn't played since May 10, underwent surgery on his right hip in May and planned to return during the season, but he strained his oblique muscle in August and finished the season having played in 26 games, fewer than any season since 1993, when he played in just the first two."