NEW YORK -- Mets manager Terry Collins said he had no problem with outfielder Yoenis Cespedes playing golf on Wednesday despite being out of the starting lineup the previous three days with a balky right quadriceps.Cespedes remains unable to play the field, but starts as the designated hitter on Wednesday night as the Mets open a stretch of five straight games in American League ballparks with a Subway Series matchup against the New York Yankees in the Bronx.Former major leaguer Kevin Millar tweeted a photo with Cespedes after a round of golf.Was he running on the course or was he walking? Did he ride a cart or was he jogging? Collins asked. I dont have any problem with it.A Mets official said Cespedes was unavailable to comment pregame Wednesday.Cespedes raised eyebrows during the National League Championship Series when he golfed in suburban Chicago on the morning of Game 4. Cespedes then departed that game with a shoulder injury. Cespedes subsequently explained that golfing relaxes him and he regularly plays during the season.Cespedes did pinch hit on Tuesday against the Yankees at Citi Field and was credited with an infield single. After the game he said the quadriceps was uncomfortable.I felt a little discomfort running down the line, but once I got into the dugout it went away, Cespedes said through an interpreter. The problem is that once I take a couple of days off, I feel better. But once I go full speed is when the pain returns.The Mets plan to use Cespedes as the designated hitter for the next five games. After the weekend, when the Mets return to National League ballparks, a decision will be made about whether Cespedes will require a stint on the disabled list, general manager Sandy Alderson said.Asked if he was troubled by Cespedes round of golf, Alderson tried to add some levity. Ill let you know after the game tonight, he said.In other injury news, first baseman Lucas Duda?--?who landed on the DL on May 23 with a stress fracture in his lower back -- had a setback last week when discomfort flared up.Los Angeles-based specialist Robert Watkins recommended 30 days of rest, which likely ends Dudas season, according to Alderson. Watkins does not believe surgery ultimately will be necessary, Alderson added.Duda could be a non-tender candidate in December. He is making $6.725 million this season and is eligible for arbitration one final time this winter. Alderson suggested it is possible one of the Mets outfielders -- presumably Michael Conforto or Jay Bruce -- might be asked to get acclimated to first base during the offseason.Right-hander Zack Wheeler will begin a rehab assignment on Saturday with Class A St. Lucie. Wheeler is returning from Tommy John surgery, performed in March 2015. Custom Derek Fisher Jersey . Scott Kazmir allowed four hits in seven shutout innings, Michael Brantley hit a two-run homer in a three-run first inning and the Indians maintained their hold on an AL wild-card spot with a 4-1 win over the Houston Astros on Saturday night. Lakers Jerseys China . Houston won 3-0 to advance to face New York in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Last in the game, Di Vaio and Romero got into a shoving match with several Houston players. Romero appeared to elbow and kick Houston defender Kofi Sarkodie. http://www.customlakersjersey.com/ . -- The Portland Timbers and Real Salt Lake played to a 0-0 tie Saturday night that left the top of the Western Conference standings unchanged. Cheap Custom Lakers Jersey . -- Matt Ryan needed one of the best games of his career to lead the Falcons and their depleted offence out of their three-game losing streak last week. Custom Lakers Jersey China . Pierce was ejected in the third quarter of Indianas 103-86 win Monday. George Hill stole a bad pass and was going in for a layup, and Pierce hustled back and appeared to be trying to wrap him up.The New Jersey Devils have reportedly agreed on a new contract with forward Andrei Loktionov. The New Jersey Star-Ledger reports that the two sides agreed to what is believed to be a one-year deal on Thursday. Loktionov was eligible to become a restricted free agent this summer and there was speculation that some KHL clubs could be interested in him. "Hes not going to Russia. Hes staying in New Jersey," Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello told the Star-Ledger. "We saw right off the bat that he knows how to play the game.dddddddddddd He creates plays. "He tailed off at the end, certainly, but there is a lot of upside to him as far as the player he is. The Devils acquired Loktionov from the Los Angeles Kings on Feb. 6 in exchange for a fifth-round draft pick. He appeared in 28 games for New Jersey and scored eight goals and four assists. The 23-year-old has played in 87 NHL contests for the Kings and Devils, compiling 15 goals and 11 assists. He was a fifth-round pick of the Kings in 2008. ' ' '