The Associated Press

NEW YORK - Mike Piazza was placed on the 15-day disabled list by the New York Mets Wednesday because of inflammation in his left knee.

The move is retroactive to Aug. 7. Piazza received a shot in his knee and said it probably would need to be drained.

Piazza is batting .276 with 17 homers and 44 RBI this season but has slumped since the end of June.

"It was painful and it was obviously affecting me physically and mentally," he said.

Asked if surgery was a possibility, he said: "I think that's sort of a last-ditch option."

INDIANS: Cleveland placed infielder Lou Merloni on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to Monday, because of an inflamed right elbow. He has been bothered by soreness in his elbow since late July and had not played in six of the past eight games.

YANKEES: Right fielder Gary Sheffield is considering whether he'll have another cortisone shot in his ailing left shoulder. He had his first injection June 21.

"If somebody tells me that (a shot) will help me, I'll do that," Sheffield said. "... I've got to do something."

• Right-hander Mike Mussina pitched three scoreless innings in a rehabilitation start for Triple-A Columbus. He went on the disabled list July 6 with a stiff right elbow.

BRAVES: Third baseman Chipper Jones missed Wednesday's game against Milwaukee because of a bruised right hand, although he took batting practice without any problems.

ROYALS: The team placed outfielder Dee Brown on the 15-day disabled list because of a left ribcage injury.