Astros 3 – Mets 2

KISSIMMEE – Despite a ninth-inning 3-2 loss yesterday to Houston, the Mets have played well this spring, posting five victories in their eight games. But as much as the on-field production has been solid, the off-the-field injuries and maladies are becoming worrisome.

So far in camp, the Mets have had health issues involving an ace (Pedro Martinez), an All-Star first baseman (Carlos Delgado), a starting catcher (Paul Lo Duca), a new outfielder (Xavier Nady), an effective reliever (Juan Padilla) and now a slugging left fielder (Cliff Floyd). Some are more serious than others, obviously, but all merit attention:

* Floyd: The left fielder is the newest to join the afflicted, saying test results revealed issues with his kidneys. Floyd was scheduled to have a blood test, urine test and ultrasound yesterday in order to try to find out more. He said the results are due on Wednesday.

Floyd said his family has a history of kidney problems, including Floyd’s grandfather and father (who required a transplant in his 30s). The outfielder also said his urine “had a little blood.

“They’ve got to find out why the little blood’s in my urine, why this, and why this,” Floyd, 33, said. “And then once I get those answers, they’ll basically tell me what I’ve got”

“[Wednesday], I was a little bit concerned. Maybe that’s why my blood pressure was high. Now I’m fine.”

Said GM Omar Minaya, “Based upon what we’ve heard, it’s nothing. It’s just more of a precautionary thing, if I’m not mistaken.”

Floyd, who plans for now to keep a normal spring regimen, is quick to say, “I feel great.” He said his kidneys are functioning at approximately 50 percent and dialysis is in a lower range. Floyd, who said he also experiences high blood pressure and high cholesterol (“and those are signs of kidney problems”), said he will alter his diet and take himself off anti-inflammatories for the time being.

* Martinez: The ace, suffering from an ailing big right toe, threw an extensive bullpen session on Wednesday, and pitching coach Rick Peterson said yesterday, “He said he felt good coming in [yesterday].” Peterson said Martinez – who believes he is still capable of pitching Opening Day, although Tom Glavine has been set up for that as well – is scheduled to throw another bullpen session on Sunday.

Mets spokesman Jay Horwitz said Martinez may not be in camp today due to a “personal matter.” This will be Martinez’s third personal day of the spring.

* Delgado: The left elbow tendinitis has kept Delgado out of the WBC so far, though Minaya said yesterday “they expect him to play” at some point. Said Minaya, “It’s just back to if it’s not 100 percent, it’s super cautious. That’s what’s going on right now.” He said Delgado is “improving.”

* Padilla: The reliever is scheduled to be examined today due to discomfort in his right elbow. Although Padilla is not a household name, this is not trivial – he had a 1.49 ERA last year.

* Lo Duca: The right hand tendinitis that kept him out for the first four games of spring seems to be gone. Lo Duca did not have any issues yesterday, playing in his third game and going 2-for-3 with a double.

* Nady: After not playing for two days, Nady was back yesterday. He said his left hamstring was OK, went 1-for-3 and is going to try to play again today.

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Poor St. Lucie

Here’s a look at the ailments afflicting several key Mets this spring:

Player Pos. — Injury

Pedro Martinez P Ailing right big toe

Carlos Delgado 1B Left elbow tendinitis

Cliff Floyd LF Kidney issues

Paul Lo Duca C Right hand tendinitis

Juan Padilla P Discomfort in right elbow

Xavier Nady RF Tight left hamstring