New York Times July 13, 2007 Injured Hand Sidelines Valent�n By MICHAEL SACK SCHMIDT Amid the changes swirling around the Mets yesterday, the team announced that second baseman Jos� Valent�n had injured his right hand in an altercation in Puerto Rico during the All-Star Game break. Valent�n said yesterday that, out of frustration, he thrust his hand into a wall at his office in Manati, P.R., during an argument about the sale of the baseball team he owns there. Valent�n was taken for X-rays, which were negative. �I lost control,� Valent�n said after the Mets 3-2 victory against the Reds last night. �I just have a little bruise on my hand. That is it. I should be back in a couple of days. There is no problem throwing or nothing. It is just a little painful.� Valent�n, who is batting .243 with 3 home runs and 17 runs batted in, did not play last night. Rub�n Gotay took his place in the lineup and went 2 for 4 with a home run and two runs batted in. Gotay, 24, has been an effective replacement for Valent�n, batting .342 in 37 games. Valent�n has played in only 44 games because of a partly torn ligament in his right knee. He has worn a brace since returning from the disabled list June 7. Valent�n, 37, re-signed with the Mets for $3.8 million in the off-season. If he reaches 400 plate appearances, he will receive a $4.3 million option for next season. He has had 152 plate appearances with 74 games remaining. Also, the Mets signed the veteran infielder Marlon Anderson to a minor league contract yesterday, and they designated Julio Franco, one of their primary pinch-hitters, for assignment. Anderson, a second baseman who played for the Mets in 2005, has often been used as a pinch-hitter. Anderson was released July 9 by the Los Angeles Dodgers. In 23 games, he hit .231 (6 for 26). He reported to Class AAA New Orleans yesterday.