Backup catcher Ronny Paulino committed two of New York’s season-high three errors, and the Mets lost 11-1 to the Chicago Cubs in the opener of a three-game series. Collins and the Mets returned to the field for the first time since The New Yorker posted a profile of Wilpon on its website that contained some sharp criticism of David Wright, Jose Reyes and Carlos Beltran – the latest in a long line of mishaps for the stumbling franchise. There was more turmoil Tuesday when Sports Illustrated posted an article on Wilpon, who told the magazine the team is “bleeding cash” and could lose up to $70 million this year. He also said the club might slash payroll next year, and there could be an agreement within three weeks to sell a minority share of the team. Alderson said he had not seen the SI article so he couldn’t comment on Wilpon’s remarks in the story. Collins said the pregame meeting was planned before the profile of Wilpon put the Mets on the back page of New York tabloids for all the wrong reasons again. But the message was going to be about continuing to play the game the right way through a rash of injuries that put Wright and first baseman Ike Davis on the disabled list. New York cleared the air, then struggled on a cool night at Wrigley Field. Ryan Dempster limited the Mets to one run in seven innings and Starlin Castro finished with three hits and two RBI for the Cubs.Beltran and Reyes spoke to Wilpon before the game on a speakerphone in Collins’ office, and a spokesman for the team said he was trying to reach Wright, who flew to Los Angeles on Monday to get his injured back examined by a specialist. Most of The New Yorker article deals with Wilpon’s upbringing in Brooklyn, his real estate business and his relationship with Bernard Madoff. But the owner really let loose during New York’s 4-3 loss to the Houston Astros on April 20, when the Mets dropped to 5-13. Sounding a lot like the team’s frustrated fan base, Wilpon disparaged the Mets’ play, called the franchise “snakebitten,” and made a couple of stinging comments about three key players. Wright, who didn’t travel with the team to Chicago, released a statement though his agent Monday calling Wilpon “a good man” who is “obviously going through some difficult times.” Wilpon is facing a multimillion dollar lawsuit filed by a court trustee seeking to recover money for victims of the Madoff Ponzi scheme. The Mets received a loan from Major League Baseball in November to help cover expenses, and Wilpon and his son, Jeff, are looking into selling part of the team.

NOTES—Mets LHP Johan Santana was back on the mound for the first time since he had shoulder surgery last September. The team said he made 25 throws from the rubber on Monday. … Mets OF Angel Pagan (strained left oblique) went 1 for 3 and walked twice in a rehab game with Class-A St. Lucie. He is expected to play for St. Lucie again on Wednesday, then make an appearance with Triple-A Buffalo on Thursday. … The gametime temperature was 45 degrees.