Rookie Roundup

Roster expansion plus the scary injury to Jose Reyes promises some more new names and numbers at Shea this September. On Monday the callups began when Jeremy (Big Red) Griffiths 46 was recalled and Norfolk closer Orber Moreno summoned for the first time. Moreno was dressed in the No. 49 jersey left behind byArmando Benitez. After Monday’s win the Mets recalled Prentice Redman 20; Jaime Cerda 43 and Edwin Almonte 56 and for the first time, second-base prospect Danny Garcia, who got his first start (and hit) on Tuesday in Roberto Alomar’s former No. 12.

The Mets have also recalled Jorge Velandia 13.

Anderson Arrives

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.

Achilles Last Stand

30Well, the most anticipated trip to the disabled list of the year finally begins tonight when gimpy-but-brave outfielder Cliff Floyd 30 gets some much-needed work on his troublesome right achilles tendon. Jeff Duncan, still wearing No. 61, takes his place on the roster. The achilles tendon injury holds special meaning for MBTN and we wish Cliff lots of luck during the hours of tedious physical therapy to come.

Hello

31Three months after being carried off, Mike Piazza returned to the field last night under — and with — his own power. The Mets changed radically during the 76 games Piazza missed but still cried out for a righthanded power hitter: He obliged with 3 hits, a home run and 5 RBI. Welcome back, welcome back, welcome back…

Mike’s return to the No. 31 jersey meant a demotion for young outfielder Jeff Duncan, who never did manage to shake the rookie-ish hold of the No. 61 jersey on his back.

Congrats to the Phillipses and DePastinos

The Mets today sent down pitcher Jeremy Griffiths 46 for a few days while Jason Phillips 23 attends the birth of his son. The move provided a rare opportunity to 12-year minor league vet catcher Joe DePastino, who made his long-awaited Major League debut tonight in Houston wearing No. 10.

Catching Up

The Mets did their part as auctioneer last week, beginning with the trade of Aussie lefty Graeme Lloyd 17 to Kansas City for a minor leaguer. Jamie Cerda 43 was recalled to take Lloyd’s place. A day later the Mets dumped Rey Sanchez 10 on Seattle and took back minor league outfielder Kenny Kelly, whom they assigned to Norfolk. Jason Roach 57 was recalled.

On Saturday the Mets demoted Edwin Almonte 56 and recalled Jeremy Griffiths 46.

61*

61It 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.