Sorry for the lack of updates last week: I had a story about the bullpen woes and Omar's future on the unemployment line loaded and ready to blast a week ago, but then they started accomplishing good things, and I decided maybe it was best to give it the "no-hitter treatment" while it lasted.

But the forthcoming addition of Luis Ayala to the Met scrolls, and Billy Wagner's latest setback, are noteworthy enough to briefly interrupt my winning streak silence.

Though Ayala has been worked pretty hard -- he's in Heilman/Feliciano territory as far as appearances are concerned -- I like this deal if only because anything could help and he came so cheap.

One only needs to look at the uni numbers to see Anderson Hernandez had no future here. As a late-season callup in 2005 and opening day starter at second-base in 2006, Anderson wore No. 1, but he was stripped of that by the time the Mets acquired Luis Castillo and reappeared in No. 4. That number was subsequently issued to Robinson Cancel, and then to Argenis Reyes: Losing two numbers, to three guys, in less than a year, is a condition rarely recovered from. As for Ayala, he's No. 56 with Nationals: That uni currently belongs to Mets' bullpen pitcher Juan Lopez.

The update we didn't record was the unsurprising demotion of Carlos Muniz for John Maine last Wednesday.

It’s hard to be sure why the Mets can’t remember ever having Darren Bragg. Could be, Bragg’s just one of those guys you think of playing for another team. I associate Darren Bragg most closely with the 1998 Red Sox though his resume also includes stops in Seattle, St. Louis, and Colorado before he hooked on with the Mets in 2001, and with the Yankees, Braves, Padres and Reds afterward. In just about every stop, Bragg served a similar role as store-brand white hustling lefthanded hitting corner outfield reserve.

It could also have been the briefness of his stay, or the abruptness of his departure: He was a Met for all of 18 games from late May to early June of 2001, a period the Mets spent entirely in last or next-to-last, owing, not surprisingly, to their lousy outfield. Perhaps too, the Mets forgot they ever had Darren Bragg because their last memory of him was releasing him prior to the start of 2002: He’d been invited to camp but was cut and released, and eventually signed with the Braves.

Thanks to readers Gene and Matt for pointing it out.

Skip to Alou (Nov. 20): Quick update on the first Met Uni Controversy of the 06 offseason: Veteran outfielder Moises Alou signed a 1-year deal today and was presented with the No. 18 jersey. That number belonged last season to Jose Valentin, who was also re-signed recently. Newsday relates that Valentin willingly surrendered the digits after learning who asked for them: "You tell him he's got the number."

The guess here is that Valentin resurfaces in No. 22, a number that last season belonged to Xavier Nady then to Michael Tucker.

Vern Ruhled Out (Oct. 8): The Mets following the season announced the whacking of pitching coach Vern Ruhle 53 but have not yet named a replacement. Stay here thoughout the Hot Stove season for updates on Mets moves and the uni numbers they'll be coughing up and dealing out!

Nepotism and Cheating: The Metly Way (Sept. 13) The Mets on Friday added two new left-handed hitters to their roster: Outfielder Matt Watson and infielder Mike Glavine. The latter is of course the kid brother of the disappointing Met hurler, and his pedestrian performance as a backup in Norfolk was easily overlooked by an organization run by Wilpon & Son. Watson, who at least can be considered worthy of a look, is coming off a shameful Rookie-ball "rehab assignment" that -- imagine! -- just happened to coincide with the Cyclones' playoff appearance.

Anderson Arrives (Aug. 29): Jason Anderson, one of three pitchers the Mets received earlier this year in the Armando Benitez trade, was recalled from Norfolk Thursday, and when he makes his first appearance will become the 26th man to wear No. 17 for the Mets, pulling that number into a three-way tie with 11 and 34 as the second-most issued in team history (No. 6 leads with 27 issues). Prentice Redman 20 was sent back to Norfolk to make room.

A-Prentice No More (Aug. 25): The Mets recalled outfielder Prentice Redman from Norfolk over the weekend and he made his Major League debut in Sunday's win over Los Angeles. Redman, who was summoned to the bigs earlier this year but did not play, becomes the 20th man to wear No. 20 in Met history. Jaime Cerda 43 was demoted to make room.

61* (July 24): It appears its only a matter of time before Jeff Duncan ditches the ridiculous No. 61 jersey he's been wearing since his recall from Binghamton. But the rookie outfielder told The Post on Tuesday he'd let his bosses decide: "I'm not going to say anything about [the uniform number] until they change it for me ... [but] my first preference is 12. You guys gonna help me out?" Sure, why not. Just promise not play like the last guy who wore that number.

Leiter Back (July 21): Al Leiter 22 returned from the disabled list to pitch in Sunday's debacle-to-be in Atlanta. His call-up meant a return to Norfolk for Jorge Velandia 13, who didn't play in his brief stay with the Mets.

Almonte Back (July 19) Edwin Almonte 56 was recalled today and Prentice Redman 20 was sent down without having appeared in a game.

We're Back (July 8): MBTN is back from a two-week break, during which we missed some moves, but not much fun. Here's a quick chronological rundown.

June 24: Optioned Dicky Gonzalez 39 to Norfolk; recalled Jerrod Riggan 38.

June 25: Optioned Riggan; recalled Grant Roberts 36.

June 26: Optioned Alex Escobar 25 to Norfolk; activated Jay Payton 44 from the DL.

June 30: Designated Darryl Hamilton 18 for assignment (See ya!); recalled Vance Wilson 3 from Norfolk.

July 3: Activated Edgardo Alfonzo 13 from the DL; placed Jorge Velandia 11 on the DL.

July 4: Activated Donne Wall 33 from the DL; optioned Roberts to Norfolk.

Shinjo-oh: (June 20, 2001): Mets action figure Tsuyoshi Shinjo 5 hustled his way onto the disabled list today, becoming the 5th Mets outfielder to do so this year. Back from Norfolk to take his place is uberphenom Alex Escobar 25.

Uncool (June 15, 2001): It's not looking good in Metville, where Edgardo Alfonzo 13 and his achin' back are off to the Disabled List. The Mets called up infield backup Jorge Velandia 11 to take his place. Velandia wore No. 11 in a brief appearance last season.

Update (June 6, 2001): In a curious move, the Mets have recalled Triple A terror Mark Johnson 20 to the big club and designated Darren Bragg 56 for assignment. This news comes just moments after our friends at the Ultimate Mets Database passed along this nugget: Bragg, a Connecticut native and big-time NY Giants fan, wore 56 in honor of Lawrence Taylor. LT hit for more power. Bragg wound up on the Yankees. Loser.

Update (May 28, 2001): The Mets have sent ineffective relief pitcher Donne Wall 33 to the DL and recalled Jerrod Riggan 38.

Update (May 22, 2001): Disgusted with another revolting effort from Steve Traschel 29, the Mets demoted him to Norfolk and welcomed back ace Al Leiter 22. They also made a minor trade with Cleveland resulting in a brief uniformed pass-through for Justin Spier, who wore 46 for a few hours en route to Norfork. Raw but talented rookie reliever Jerrod Riggan 38 is also back in Norfolk these days.

Bragging Rights: (May 16): The Mets today called up outfielder Darren Bragg from Norfolk, and returned phenom Alex Escobar 25. Bragg, a former Red Sox, Mariner, Rockie and Cardinal, was tearing it up down there and hopefully will provide relief for an injury-battered outfield. We only hope he plays better than the last No. 56, Brian "Baseball Tonight" McRae.

Over the weekend, the Mets disabled ineffective lefty reliever Tom Martin 34, and briefly, called up AA catcher Jason Phillips. Phillips, like Jerry Moses in 1975, was issued a number -- 3 -- but did not appear in a game. Darry Hamilton has also returned from the disabled list and will wear No. 18.

Bad News, Good News? (May 8): Jay Payton's freakish bad luck continued yesterday when a pulled hammy sent him to the disabled list. While No. 44 recovers, the Mets have called up Alex Escobar to take his place. Escobar, who will wear No. 25, is perhaps the most highly touted Met outfield prospect since Darryl Strawberry donned No. 18 for the first time -- 18 years ago this week!

Dicky-thon: (May1): The Mets have called up young Dicky Gonzalez to take Al Leiter's turn in the rotation while No. 22 rests his sore elbow. Gonzalez wears No. 39 and easily has the best name in a Mets 39 jersey since Nino Espinosa. Jerrod Riggan 38 was sent to Norfolk, but came right back May 2 when the Mets disabled Rick White 51 for the second time this year.

Update (April 27): The Mets have swapped Timo Perez 6 and Darryl Hamilton 18 with disabled list assignments. Brent Hinchliffe was sent back to Norfolk to lick his wounds.

Miller Time (April 26): The Mets' disastrous visit to Milwaukee this week featured forgettable debuts by new Met hurlers Brent Hinchliffe 32 and Tom Martin 34. All very despressing even considering the return a few days earlier of Benny Agbayani and Rick White to the roster at Nos. 50 and 51, respectively. In the inbetween, say goodbye to Brian Rose 23, lost on waivers to Tampa Bay; and at least temporarily, to Mark Johnson 20, who had few good words to say on his way back to Virginia Beach. Like he's got room to talk.

Opening Day! (April 3): A largely uneventful, but quite successful, Spring Training yields a mere six new players to the Mets this year: MBTN officially welcomes Tsuyoshi Shinjo 5, Desi Relaford 8, Kevin Appier 17, Brian Rose 23, Steve Trachsel 29 and Donne Wall 33 to the All-Time Numerical Roster.