MET NOTES

OAKLAND – The rest of the Mets’ 12-game road trip will have to be played without Miguel Cairo.

Cairo was put on the 15-day disabled list yesterday with a strained left hamstring.

The second baseman had left Tuesday’s game in the seventh inning with a tight hamstring, and also was suffering from a tight left hamstring.

“Hopefully when I come back, I’ll be healthy for the rest of the season,” Cairo said.

Cairo is eligible to return from the DL on June 30. In his stead, Kazuo Matsui was starting at second base last night, though that doesn’t mean Matsui is going to be entrenched there while Cairo’s out.

Marlon Anderson, who DH’ed last night, and Chris Woodward could also see time.

“That’s pretty much open,” manager Willie Randolph said of the second-base situation.

“It’s going to be Matsui right now, and we’ll see how he looks.”

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To replace Cairo on the roster, the Mets called up Norfolk first baseman Brian Daubach, who was tearing up Triple-A.

The 33-year-old Daubach was hitting .356 with 11 homers and 42 RBIs in 55 games. From 1998-2004, with three teams – Florida, Boston and the White Sox – Daubach batted .261.

“He’s having a good year in Triple-A,” Randolph said. “He’s the best guy to tap into right now.”

Daubach was to join the team last night.

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Mike Cameron said he was “a little bit better” yesterday. But for the second straight night he was not able to play, thanks to an ailing left finger and right knee.

Cameron was going to try to do some pregame work yesterday in hopes of playing, saying, “Try to pull a Kirk Gibson in June. But most important, I’ve just got to be smart.”

Victor Diaz was in right for the second straight game.

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No word yet on whether Mike Piazza will draw a fine for Sunday’s incidents involving umpire Eric Cooper.

Bob Watson, MLB’s VP of on-field operations, said yesterday, “Whenever I decide, you guys will know.”