MET NOTES

ANAHEIM – The physical therapist working with Mike Piazza told the 10-time All-Star he should recover fully from a severe right groin strain, Piazza’s agent told the Post yesterday.

Piazza is currently working with a physical therapist in Florida and is expected to reconnect with the team Monday. Dan Lozano, Piazza’s agent, dismissed the notion that the Met cornerstone wouldn’t be able to squat or perform other catching duties because of the injury’s severity.

“Physically, he’s doing great,” Lozano said. “He should be able to catch again. The physical therapist said he should be 100 percent when he’s done (rehabilitating).”

Lozano did concede there’s no telling how individuals respond to rehabilitation and admitted Piazza almost certainly won’t be back before the All-Star break. It’s unclear when Piazza will rejoin the team for good.

“He’s trying to stay as positive as he can,” Lozano said.

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Mets sold minor-league righty Jerrod Riggan to the Hanshin Tigers of Japan for $150,000, a nice financial turnaround. They signed Riggan as a minor-league free agent and only paid him about $4,500 in salary in the last few weeks. Riggan agreed to the move and has an option to pitch there in 2004, Duquette said.

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Mike Stanton’s left knee surgery went fine, manager Art Howe reported, and he will miss four to six weeks after tearing the lateral meniscus.