Trach is Back (Aug. 23): The Mets today welcomed back Steve Trachsel 29, and slotted him in the rotation on Friday. The drama as to who would be sacrificed to make room for him was satisfactorily resolved when washed-up mop-up man Danny Graves 32 was designated for assignment. On Monday, beefy reliever Heath Bell 19 was recalled from Norfolk while Dae Sung Koo 17 was demoted. On Sunday, reserve catcher Mike DeFelice 33 returned to the active roster when the Mets got around to disabling catcher Mike Piazza 31. Meanwhile, a massive three-run homer in his debut turn at bat Sunday appears to have saved a job for Mike Jacobs 27, who's now your starting first baseman.

MBTN reader Mike from Tennessee points out that Jacobs became the fourth Met to hit a home run in his first Major League at-bat -- and that each of them had ascending uni numbers: Benny Ayala 18; Mike Fitzgerald 20; Kaz Matsui 25; and Jacobs 27. This is the kind of useless history MBTN was designed to capture.

Diaz Recalled, Valent Designated (May 28): The Mets' piddling offense over the last week in the wake of so-called day-to-day injuries to Carlos Beltran and Kaz Matsui highlighted the need for a more threatening bat and so the team recalled Victor Diaz 20 from Norfolk. But the failure to send either player to the disabled list may wind up costing the Mets pesky reserve outfielder Eric Valent, whom they'll try to sneak through waivers and stash at Norfolk to make room for Diaz.

At the moment, this move has yet to earn the MBTN Seal of Approval: Though Valent was off to a slow start this year, lefthanded bench players who cost nothing and hit 13 home runs in part-time work are hard to find and probably, in demand. We also admire Valent's contribution to Met Uni history, continuing to wear the absurd No. 57 he was issued as a non-roster spring-training invitee in 2003 when he made the team unexpectedly. Could the Mets have lived with 11 pitchers for a while instead? Did Willie have to give all the lefthanded pinch-hitting opportunities to Marlon Anderson, who for all his success can't smell Valent's power? Will Valent clear waivers? How many days before day-to-day becomes week-to-week? We shall see.

Trade Chain Snapped with Strickland Release (May 28): When the Mets failed to recall Norfolk reliever Scott Strickland last Sunday, triggering the rehabbing righty's right to free agency, they also clipped off the lone remaining branch of a Trade Tree with roots in the infamous Ed Hearn-for-David Cone trade of 1986. That leaves one-time reserve infielder Tim Bogar as the grandfather of the current longest trade chain: Bogar was traded to Houston in 1997 for Luis Lopez, who went to Milwaukee for Bill Pulsipher, who went to Arizona for Lenny Harris, who went to Milwaukee for Jeromy Burnitz, whose trade to Los Angeles yeilded Victor Diaz and minor leaguer Joselo Diaz; the latter brought back Victor Zambrano.

Ishii Back, Castro Out, DeFelice Up, Diaz Down (May 17): Kaz Ishii 23 returned to the active roster today and pitched well in a win over Cincinnati and maybe, Victor Zambrano's job. To make room, the Mets optioned one-time rookie-off-the-year candidate Victor Diaz 20 to Norfolk, where he'll work on his defense and await Cliff Floyd's next injury. In the meantime catcher Ramon Castro 11 went to the disabled list with a strained quad, and journeyman Mike DiFelice was recalled from Norfolk. DiFelice made his Met debut tonight in No. 33, recalling historical Metly backup catchers Clint Hurdle, Barry Lyons, Tim Spehr, Mike Kincade, Charlie O'Brien and Barry Lyons.

Benson, Cameron Return (May 5): Two regulars on the shelf from Day 1 return this afternoon when Kris Benson 34 makes his first start and Mike Cameron 44 plays right field. To make room the Mets sent reliever Royce Ring 22 and starter Jae Seo 26 to the minors. Tough break for Seo, who pitched better than both Tom Glavine and Victor Zambrano during his stay. He may be back if either of those two continue to struggle.

Ring Rings (April 27): The Mets abruptly released veteran reliever Mike Matthews 27 on Monday and called up Norfolk lefty Royce Ring to the big club. Ring, who arrived in therefreshing 2003 trade that sent Roberto Alomar to the White Sox, suited up Tuesday in No. 22, which last belonged to lefty Al Leiter. As reported by Marty Noble at MLB.com, Ring said he won't be confused with his predecessor: "I don't have a cutter, I'll tell you that." Over the weekend, a sore muscle put starter Kaz Ishii 23 on the disabled list; in his place the Mets recalled Jae Seo, who remains in No. 26.

Bell Rings (April 19): After a comically tragic performance Monday in Philly the Mets disabled Felix Heredia 49 and recalled Heath Bell 19. Bell appeared tonight to wrap up a record-setting Met win. This team might be better than we thought.

Castro Converts (March 26): The trade of Jason Phillips vaulted Ramon Castro into a likely role as Met backup catcher and his uni number went flying too. Castro's status seems solidified by a switch from the non-rosterly 72 to the backup catcherly 11. With a week to go until the bell rings, notable recent cuts include Jae Seo 26, Scott Strickland 28, Jeff Keppinger 6, and Scott Stewart 32.

Piazza Back, DeJean DeSabled (Aug. 30): The Mets got some of their missing offense back today when Mike Piazza returned from the disabled list. To make room for him the Mets designated recent pickup Brian Buchanan 10 for assignment. In the meantime the Mets placed reliever Mike DeJean 35 on the disabled list and recalled Heath Bell 19.

Wheeler Dealers (Aug. 28): The Mets on Friday traded reliever Dan Wheeler to Houston for minor league outfielder Adam Suess (all the Howes in Howeville approved). Wheeler should have worn 18 but wore 39 instead. His spot on the roster will be taken over by Jae Seo 26 who returns from Norfolk with blonde hair.

Mets Sign Brian Buchanan (Aug. 25): The Mets today addressed their absurdly weak hitting attack by acquiring recently released righthanded-hitting Padre corner outfielder Brian Buchanan (think: Shane Spencer without the drinking problem). Buchanan was given No. 10, most recently belonging to Jeff Duncan. To make room the Mets demoted Heath Bell 19, just a day after a successful Major League debut.

Bell Tolls for Heilman (Aug. 24): Within 24 hours on Monday, Aaron Heilman 48 was recalled, rocked and summarily banished to Norfolk. In his place the Mets recalled Tides closer Heath Bell, who throws hard and fashioned attractive numbers in AAA (67 K's in 53.2 IP). He wears No. 19. Here's hoping this Bell tolls clearer than his Met predecessors Gus 3, Derek 16 and Jay 44.

To make room for Bell on the 40-man roster, the Mets moved Orber Moreno 49 to the 60-day disabled list. Heilman's recall sent Matt Ginter 13 back to Norfolk, where he remains.

Ginter Back; Brazell Down; Heilman en Route (Aug. 22): Matt Ginter just won't go away. He's back in uniform 13 again, taking the start in San Francisco while Craig Brazell 9 flies back to Norfolk. Word is forgotten prospect Aaron Heilman will meet the Mets when they return to Shea to make Monday's start. Heilman wore No. 48 when we last saw him; it is uncertain at this point whether Ginter will go down again or a certain well-rested lefthander announces his retirement.

4 Years and 10 Minutes in MBTN History (Aug. 21): The Mets controversial trades last month are paying off in unpredictable ways. When Victor Zambrano 38 left his start Tuesday with elbow trouble, the Mets recalled the player received with him, reliever Bartolome Fortunato, who made his Met debut Friday wearing No. 43. Meantime, Joe McEwing 11 went down Thursday with a dirty-slide-induced broken leg and so the Mets recalled Jeff Keppinger, the throw-in infielder received in the Kris Benson deal.

Keppinger was issued No. 6 -- for the fourth time this year and the 31st time in Met history. Both are records that may never be broken! (The Mets quietly last week traded catcher Tom Wilson, the third wearer of the 6 jersey this year. Ricky Gutierrez and Gerald Williams were the other two victims so far).

Expect plenty of wound-licking and hand-wringing this week if/when Scott Kazmir makes his debut with the Devil Rays and Jim Duquette submits his resume on Monster.com. This has been a very weird month, even for the Mets.

...And Down Goes Matsui (Aug. 15) The Mets finally got around to disable-listing shortstop Kaz Matsui 25, leaving the Mets without any of their imagined starting infielders this year. In his place the Mets called up AAA slugger Craig Brazell, who will make his Met/Major League debut while wearing No. 9.

More Infielders (Updated Aug. 14) With the middle infield again hurting, the Mets dipped into Norfolk and recalled veteran scrubeenie Wilson Delgado, issued him No. 17, and hoped Reyes and Matsui felt better soon. To make room the Mets sent Matt Ginter 13 back to Norfolk presumably for for a short stay while Tom Glavine sees his dentist. They also sent Pedro Feliciano 55 down again and recalled Dan Wheeler 39.

The news got worse Friday when the Mets said Jose Reyes 7 would spend the next four-to-six weeks on the disabled list. Feliciano was recalled in his place.

Piazza DLed, Garcia Up (Aug. 12): Struggling one-time superstar Mike Piazza 31 hit the disabled list last night to rest a bad knee. In his place the Mets recalled Danny Garcia 12, who'd been refining his game at Norfolk as multi-position player.