Terry Collins said Ronny Paulino's return from the DL, first scheduled for Tuesday, then Friday, may actually wait until Saturday. Collins said he would like Paulino to get additional at-bats with Triple-A Buffalo. Paulino so far is 3-for-21 (.143) in six games with the Bisons. That comes on the heels of going 3-for-17 (.176) in five games with Class A St. Lucie.

When Paulino is activated, the righty-hitting catcher mostly will platoon with lefty-hitting Josh Thole, according to Collins. The exception: Because Paulino, who arrived late to spring training, then was shut down with anemia, has not caught R.A. Dickey, Thole will catch the knuckleballer, even if the Mets are facing a southpaw.

• With Mike Pelfrey, who has been ill, declared ready for Friday's start, Collins said he would not hold back Dillon Gee as a precaution. If the situation calls for Gee to be used Thursday night, he will be summoned for relief duty.

• Collins would like to give Carlos Beltran a day off in Philly this weekend. The logical game would be Saturday's matinee after a night game. However, Beltran is hitting .316 with two homers in 42 career plate appearances against scheduled starter Roy Halladay that day. And Collins believes Beltran is such a competitor he would want to face Halladay no matter what. So the manager may give Beltran off Sunday against Cliff Lee instead.

• Despite Daniel Murphy's surge, Collins reiterated it's still a platoon. So Justin Turner should start the next time the Mets face a southpaw, which is Sunday with Lee.

• Collins said he does not expect an apology from Marvin Hudson, Wednesday's third base ump. The manager said he cannot recall an umpire ever apologizing to him for a missed call, and added that he has a short memory anyway. "It's over," Collins said.