NEW YORK — Three weeks after he suffered an ugly concussion in Atlanta, New York Mets Ryan Church finally went on the 15-day disabled list today. The Mets continued to defend their actions, which have been questioned both within the baseball and medical communities.

Church, who didn't come to Shea Stadium today, was home resting, Mets General Manager Omar Minaya said. The Mets also designated catcher Raul Casanova for assignment, and they activated Moises Alou (strained left calf) and Marlon Anderson (torn left hamstring) from the disabled list.

When Church suffered his May 20 concussion, trying to break up a double play that ended a Mets' loss to the Braves, it marked his second such injury in less than three months. On March 1, Church and Marlon Anderson collided in a spring training game.

Yet the Mets used Church as a pinch hitter on May 22, and then again on May 23, May 25 and May 26, even as Church was telling reporters that he didn't feel 100 percent. Church started the Mets' games on June 1, June 2, June 3 and June 5 before finally giving into his symptoms.

In all, Church played in eight games — and traveled on team flights from Atlanta to Denver, Denver to New York, New York to San Francisco and San Francisco to San Diego — after his second concussion of the season.

Asked if he would handle Church's injury differently, if he had a chance to start over, Minaya said, "Not based upon what our doctors told us. We listened to our experts' advice and what they said. I have full confidence in our doctors."

Church went to see a neurologist on Monday, Minaya said, but underwent no further testing.

Two weeks ago, the New York Times quoted experts on concussions who questioned the Mets' handling of Church. According to a person familiar with the situation, baseball friends of Church are upset that the Mets relied so heavily on Church's input. After all, as the player trying to carry a struggling team, Church might have felt pressure to stay in the lineup.

"Any time there's an injury, I'm going to listen to our doctors," Minaya said. "We'll listen to it and always go on the advice of the doctors based on the tests that are given. We will treat any condition based upon the situation."

Church's DL placement is retroactive to June 6.