Battles Continue (March 30): With exactly one week left before the starting gun fires, the Met pitching staff is still under construction. Another subpar outing this afternoon by Jae Seo 38 could give additional hope to one or more of Grant Roberts 36; Aaron Heilman 48; Scott Erickson 89 and Tyler Yates 33. In the bullpen, Orber Moreno 49 and Dan Wheeler 39 are looking to secure jobs.The lineup looks complete unless (or until) the starting infielders cease getting hurt.

More from St. Lucie (Feb. 29): New pitching coach Rick Peterson has been spied wearing No. 51 and Shane Spencer in 43. Among those wearing a different number than their previous appearances in a Met uniform: Pat Strange in 34 and Jeff Duncan in 10.

More whacky numbers available only for a limited time: outfielder Kenny Kelly 0; infielder Victor Diaz 13; catchers Danilo Reynoso 85 and Tony Piazza 91; longshot pitchers Shawn Sedlacek 86; James Baldwin 88 and Scott Erickson 89. See the photos at Ed's site.

Pitchers, catchers and numbers (Feb. 14): The 2004 Mets next week will be arriving in Port St. Lucie for Spring Training and goofy numbers aplenty are expected. According to the official (but not always accurate) Mets website, here's what to expect: Pat Strange, whose 38 was taken by Jae Seo when Seo's 40 was given to Braden Looper (whose 41 was unavailable)... is listed in No. 34. As expected, veteran returnee Todd Zeile was issued No. 27. Karim Garcia in the meantime was issued No. 20, with Prentice Redman switching to No. 5. Catcher Mike Jacobs has been issued the highest uni number among the 40-men in camp, at 71. See more at the official site.

Spencer, Zeile Sign (Feb. 1): The Mets, as expected, inked yet another pair of Yankee castoffs, Todd Zeile and Shane Spencer. Though we haven't spied either in uniform yet, Zeile looks likely to wind up in No. 27. Spencer has worn No. 47 -- that number belongs to Tom Glavine -- and as a nonroster invitee, could be issued an offensive-line number in camp.