Mets OF Moises Alou needs hernia surgery

NEW YORK, March 6 (UPI) -- New York Mets outfielder Moises Alou will be sidelined four to six weeks because of hernia surgery.

His injury was confirmed Wednesday by Dr. Eugene Nowak at New York Presbyterian Hospital.

Alou, 41, was injured in the third inning in a game Monday against the Atlanta Braves.

He missed nearly three months last season with a strained right quad and becomes the latest member of the Mets' growing list of walking wounded.

First baseman Carlos Delgado (hip), infielder Damion Easley and outfielders Marlon Anderson, Endy Chavez, catcher Brian Schneider, and outfielders Ryan Church and Ruben Gotay are out with ailments.

Also, centerfielder Carlos Beltran and second baseman Luis Castillo have been slow to recover from off-season surgeries on both knees.

"One thing you always say about spring training is you hope to get out of here healthy," said Mets general manager Omar Minaya. "If we can get all these injuries out of the way now, it would be great."