Mets insist Beltran and Maine don't have swine flu

Mets people insist that center field star Carlos Beltran and starting pitcher John Maine do not have swine flu or any of several symptoms of the virus in the wake of a swine flu scare involving another member of the Mets' traveling party.

Beltran and Maine are thought by Mets officials to have some other stomach ailment, and Mets people say swine flu has been ruled out by their doctors.

A TV technician with SNY-TV, the Mets' station, is being tested for swine flu after becoming ill on the team's trip to Pittsburgh. The TV tech flew with the club to Pittsburgh on Sunday but was instructed to drive back to New York in case he is infected with the H1N1 virus, more commonly known as swine flu.

Players listened on Tuesday to a presentation from team trainer Ray Ramirez about the symptoms of swine flu after the team learned of the TV person. It is unknown whether the TV person has swine flu, as results from his test are not back yet.

Mets officials say neither Maine nor Beltran has a fever, which can be associated with swine flu. While a fever does not always accompany swine flu, according to a report last month in the New York Times, Mets people say their doctors told them that neither Maine nor Beltran has swine flu.

Maine, who left his last start after six shutout innings with stomach pain, was well enough to throw a bullpen session on Tuesday. Beltran has been listed as "day-to-day," but received more medical tests on Tuesday after not improving and remained back at the team hotel. Beltran was tested for an ulcer, among other possible ailments.