The Mets placed Shawn Green 20 onto the disabled list Tuesday and recalled Ben Johnson, who entered the game later that night as a defensive replcement in the outfield. Johnson, whom the Mets received in the Heath Bell trade, wore the same No. 4 as he sported in spring training.

In the meantime shamed reliever Guillermo Mota 59 completed his 50-game juicing suspension and re-joins the Mets tonight in place of struggling bullpener Ambiorix Burgos 40.

Over the weekend we failed to mention the return from the disabled list of Orlando Hernandez 26 and the subsequent demotion of pitcher Jason Vargas 43.

With Orlando Hernandez still out, Jorge Sosa still effective and Mike Pelfrey still needing some work, Jason Vargas is making his Met debut this afternoon, wearing No. 43. To make room for Vargas, who was acquired over the winter from Florida in the Henry Owens deal, the Mets assigned Moises Alou 18 to the disabled list. The last No. 43 to appear for the Mets was reliever Royce Ring a year ago.

Vargas by the way is the 812th Met ever. That counter, along with other cool stuff, returns to the new new site soon.

Looks like it’s one-and-done for Chan Ho Park 61, whose messy debut start in place of Orlando Hernandez appears to have been his last as a Met. For now. The Mets designated Park for assignment Thursday, and recalled in his place AAA reliever Lino Urdaneta, whose prior Major League experience consisted of a single nightmare appearance for the 2004 Tigers. He faced 6 batters allowing, in order, a walk and 5 straight singles — all of them scored — in what would be a 26-5 asswhoop by Kansas City.

Urdaneta was injured shortly after his appearance and later released by Detroit, leaving him with an ERA of infinity when the Mets signed him out of the Mexican League last summer.

Urdaneta pitched Spring Training wearing No. 58 and is listed by mets.com today as wearing 19 (alert us if you happen to eyewitness). Though a sideways 8 might be appropriate at least until he gets an appearance — no guarantee since he’s expected to be returned to New Orleans when Hernandez’ turn comes up next. Jorge Sosa (No. 29 in Spring Training) is expected to get that start.