The Associated Press

CHICAGO - Chicago Cubs center fielder Corey Patterson went on the 15-day disabled list Monday with a torn ligament in his left knee and will likely miss the rest of the season.

Patterson tore the ACL and cartilage in his left knee when he beat out an infield single in the eighth inning Sunday against the St. Louis Cardinals. He crossed the base and then dropped to the ground, rolling over and grabbing his knee while wincing in pain.

Patterson stayed on the ground for several minutes while trainers attended to him, but walked off the field on his own.

Patterson has been enjoying a breakout season in his second full year in the majors. He's hitting .298 with 13 homers and 55 RBI in 83 games. He also has 16 stolen bases.

To take Patterson's spot on the roster, the Cubs purchased outfielder Trenidad Hubbard's contract from Triple-A Iowa.

ALL-STARS: Pittsburgh outfielder Kenny Lofton will replace Patterson as one of the five candidates in Internet voting for the final spot on the NL All-Star team.

The other four players on the ballot for the final NL roster spot are: Orlando Cabrera of the Montreal Expos; Luis Castillo of the Florida Marlins; Geoff Jenkins of the Milwaukee Brewers; and Benito Santiago of the San Francisco Giants.

METS: Pitcher Al Leiter was placed on the 15-day disabled list because of an inflamed right knee. The move is retroactive to June 30.

Manager Art Howe expects the left-hander, who is 8-5 with a 5.57 ERA, to return shortly after the All-Star break.