The Associated Press

NEW YORK - Mets pitcher Tom Glavine lost his two front upper teeth in an automobile accident Tuesday while going from LaGuardia Airport to nearby Shea Stadium in a taxi cab.

Glavine also got stitches for a cut lower lip. He was to be released from a hospital Tuesday night and miss his scheduled start tonight against Houston.

The accident occurred at 2:15 p.m. as Glavine headed to the ballpark for New York's game against the Astros. The left-hander had spent Monday's off-day with his family in Atlanta.

Glavine was leaving LaGuardia in a taxi that collided with a SUV on the overpass of the Grand Central Parkway as he left the airport grounds, the Mets said.

Port Authority police and the New York Police Department responded to the crash, and the Emergency Medical Service took Glavine by ambulance to NYU Medical Center in Manhattan.

Glavine was conscious, Port Authority spokesman Tony Ciavolella said. Mets' oral surgeon Dr. Robert Glickman treated the pitcher.

Mets' team physician Joseph Bosco said Glavine was resting comfortably, and the pitcher was to go straight to his home in Connecticut.

No summonses were issued, Ciavolella said. An investigation was continuing.

Matt Ginter will pitch in Glavine's place tonight.

• Catcher Mike Piazza and shortstop Kaz Matsui were out of the Mets' starting lineup Tuesday night. Piazza has fluid in his left knee, and MRI exam showed, and he will be re-evaluated Wednesday. Matsui's sore back showed improvement, and he remained day-to-day.

TIGERS: Detroit second baseman Fernando Vina will not play again this season because of a partial tendon tear in his left knee. Vina has been on the DL since May 12 with the knee problem and an injured right hamstring.

Vina saw Dr. Lewis Yocum, the Anaheim Angels' team doctor. There hasn't been a decision on whether Vina will have surgery on the knee.

KANSAS CITY: Royals sent struggling AL Rookie of the Year Angel Berroa to Double-A Wichita on Tuesday.

Berroa, who signed an $11 million, four-year contract in May, was batting just .249 with five homers and 30 RBIs. Last year, the shortstop hit .287 with 17 homers and 73 RBIs in his first full season on a big league roster.

The Royals called up Wichita shortstop Andres Blanco to fill Berroa's roster spot, Royals general manager Allard Baird said.

YANKEES: A smiling and upbeat Jason Giambi arrived Tuesday at the Yankees' spring training complex to start working himself back into playing shape after being diagnosed with a benign tumor. "Definitely, I'm feeling better," Giambi said when departing the complex.

Giambi said he would talk about his situation this afternoon at a news conference.

• Yankees pitcher Javier Vazquez will miss his scheduled start tonight against the Texas Rangers because of pink eye.