NEW YORK (AP) -- Even rainouts can produce winners and losers.

"Well, I think I'll get my shot again," Mets outfielder Jay Payton said after Thursday's game between New York and the Colorado Rockies was postponed by rain following a 1-hour, 37-minute wait.

Payton, a regular in the Mets outfield with 21 starts in center since April 7, seems to have lost his spot, thanks to a .218 batting average.

"I have to hope that I can get some more at bats," said Payton, considered one of the most promising of the Mets prospects before a series of injuries helped derail his career in the minors.

There even is the possibility those at-bats could come with another team. It appears that Payton could be included in a trade now that he is no longer an untouchable prospect.

Payton entered Wednesday's game as a defensive replacement and drew a walk in his only plate appearance. He hasn't homered since April 12 at Philadelphia.

Payton has effectively been replaced in the Mets outfield by Joe McEwing, called up from Norfolk last weekend after New York released Rickey Henderson.

Right-hander Bobby J. Jones may have gained something from the rainout; he's scheduled to start Friday's series opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Jones, 0-1 with a 16.20 ERA in three starts, came off the disabled list prior to his scheduled start Thursday. He had been placed on the DL April 17 because of a strained right calf muscle.

"With Bobby, it's a situation where before the year is over we're going to need him, and we want him to understand that we need him now," said Mets manager Bobby Valentine, whose team is 5-15 in May, dropping from a tie for first on April 24 to fourth place, 7½ games behind Atlanta in the NL East.

Valentine indicated the Jones would have pitched Thursday, even if the weather was not good.

"The idea situation is for him to pitch in ideal conditions," the manager said. "He's pitched in rain before. He could have gotten through."

Colorado manager Buddy Bell, whose club has won four of five, also thought his team may have gained from the rainout.

"We don't want to have to play doubleheaders," Bell said, "(but) one good thing, it does give Todd (Helton) another day of rest."

Helton, who had missed two games with a strained right hamstring, is the NL's leading hitter with a .417 average after 37 games.

"He's the best hitter in the league right now, and we want to get him in there as much as we can," Bell said.

Bell said the rain day might cause a reorganization of the Rockies' rotation.

Pedro Astacio, who had been scheduled to start Thursday, was pushed back to Friday's series opener at Philadelphia.

Game notes
To clear a roster spot for Jones, the Mets optioned LHP Bill Pulsipher (0-2) to Triple-A Norfolk of the International League. ... Valentine was pleased the game didn't start and then stop. ... The Rockies have already played one makeup doubleheader and filled an off-day at St. Louis. They have two more doubleheaders scheduled as the result of rain.