KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- The Mets were surprised to learn yesterday that Cliff Floyd is undergoing tests for his ailing kidneys. Only David Wright, his closest friend on the team, had known what Floyd is going through.

Floyd kept team officials in the dark about his potentially serious condition, but he told Wright after he returned from Wednesday's visit to a local kidney specialist. General manager Omar Minaya said he didn't find out about Floyd's situation until yesterday morning. He later spoke to the outfielder in the clubhouse before joining the team in Kissimmee.

"This is personal," Floyd said. "It's not something about the team. Because of my family history, I just think everybody who has a family history should get themselves checked out. If something comes back Wednesday, then everybody will know."

Floyd must wait until Wednesday for the results of yesterday's round of tests, which included an ultrasound of his kidneys and more screening of his blood and urine.

He considers this more of a personal matter because of the connection with his father, Cornelius. Floyd's father was stricken with kidney disease at the age of 35, was put on dialysis and received a transplant two years later that saved his life.

"The reason the red flags came up is because of my pops," Floyd said. "My pops had kidney problems, so anything that's abnormal with my kidneys is something that should be taken seriously, not lightly."

Floyd was first alerted by the results of the team's precamp physical. It revealed above-normal creatinine and blood urea-nitrogen levels in his blood - two early indicators of kidney disease. Floyd also was told that he had blood in his urine.

The elevated numbers didn't faze Floyd initially. At 6-4, 230 pounds, Floyd was accustomed to higher-than-average readings, and he brushed off the spikes in his blood pressure and cholesterol. He was so oblivious to his potential danger that he even began taking anti-inflammatory medication in spring training after developing tendinitis in his throwing shoulder.

"I didn't think about it," Floyd said. "I probably would just keep going. You keep going and then all of a sudden you fall on your face."

But at the urging of his mother, Olivia, Floyd scheduled this week's appointment, and only after speaking with the doctor did he understand the gravity of his situation.

Floyd was told that his kidneys are operating at 48 percent efficiency, and although that alone is not cause for alarm, any further decline could be serious. Patients under 20 percent are considered transplant candidates; the 10-15 range requires dialysis.

Floyd is off the anti-inflammatory drugs and has to make sweeping changes in his diet. He also must check his blood pressure and drink a gallon of water daily until Wednesday's follow-up visit, when he expects to get a diagnosis of what is causing his renal failure.

Floyd said he feels fine and has the doctor's permission to keep playing until he is told otherwise. He plans to be in the lineup for today's game against the Cardinals, and the Mets don't expect him to miss any time until they get a clearer picture of his kidney problems.

"Based upon what we heard, it's more of a precautionary thing," Minaya said.

But even though the doctor told him not to worry, Floyd, and those close to him, won't be truly relieved until he has a better idea of what he's dealing with.

"Any time you go to a doctor and have the history of his family, you worry about that," Wright said. "But Cliff is a grown man. He knows what to do to keep his body healthy. Cliff will be fine."

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