""Tough, man. It's been a tough month because the team is not playing good. Whether you're sitting at the park or watching on TV, the team is struggling," says Delgado. "And you can't do nothing about it. That's been the frustrating part. In every aspect, it sucks being hurt."

But while Delgado, 37, pushes himself with rehab and hopes for a second-half surge by his team following this week's All-Star break, he has not eased up on any of his charitable efforts, including yesterday's All-Star treatment for more than a dozen Puerto Rican high school students who spent the day with the Mets' first baseman.

This is the fifth year that Delgado's charity - Extra Bases - has been part of an event that recognizes what Delgado says are "some of the top high school students of Puerto Rico." The Puerto Rican newspaper El Nuevo Dia organizes a contest for a group of students with GPAs of at least 3.5, and who excel with leadership and extracurricular skills are eligible to win an all-expenses-paid weekend in New York."