Mets’ maladies mounting

All-Star catcher Paul Lo Duca, who left the Mets’ 6-5 loss to the Washington Nationals on Saturday night because of an injured right hamstring, had an MRI exam on Sunday and wasn’t in the clubhouse before the game. All-Star center fielder Carlos Beltran remained unavailable because of a stomach muscle strain.

Results of Lo Duca’s scan were not released. Mets manager Willie Randolph said the best-case scenario was a slight strain that would keep his catcher out a couple of days.

The Mets have had 12 players on the disabled list this season.

Outfielder Endy Chavez (hamstring) and Carlos Gomez (broken hand), pitcher Pedro Martinez (rotator cuff surgery), Juan Padilla (elbow surgery), Duaner Sanchez (broken shoulder), and infielder Jose Valentin (fractured tibia) currently are out.

Butler hospitalized

In Mobile, Ala., former major leaguer Brett Butler was recovering from a mild stroke, two days after he became ill.

He played 17 seasons with five major league teams, retiring in 1997 at the age of 40.

Clearing the bases

One day after acquiring Ty Wigginton in a trade with Tampa Bay, the Houston Astros designated struggling third baseman Morgan Ensberg for assignment. Houston also recalled left-hander Mark McLemore to fill the roster spot vacated when reliever Dan Wheeler was sent to the Devil Rays in Saturday’s trade. … Reds ace Aaron Harang will miss his next scheduled turn in Cincinnati’s rotation because of a sore lower back. … The Detroit Tigers placed left-hander Kenny Rogers on the 15-day disabled list with inflammation in his elbow. … Bill Robinson, who played on Pittsburgh’s 1979 World Series championship team and was working as the Los Angeles Dodgers’ minor league hitting coordinator, died in Las Vegas. He was 64.