With Carlos Beltran kept out of a third straight game because of what the team is calling a stomach virus, and John Maine showing only slight improvement, trainer Ray Ramirez addressed the team before yesterday's game. Ramirez briefed the players on the developments involving the sick producer, who regularly travels on the team's chartered plane, and told them what to look out for. The producer returned to New York Tuesday afternoon.

"It has not been confirmed as swine flu, but it definitely is a case of the flu," assistant general manager John Ricco said. "We've been told it's not a type of illness that's transmitted through the air. It's something more with droplets, shaking hands or sneezing, so we're not too worried.

"The symptoms we've been told have been marked by generally high fever, joint aches, and fatigue. It comes on you rather quickly - not something that comes on in a slow fashion. These symptoms are not consistent at all with what Carlos Beltran and John Maine have at the present time. Our players are being informed that this has happened, and if they are at present with any of the symptoms to let our trainer know."