MET NOTES

Roger Cedeno, whose brief time in center field was accompanied by a slow start offensively, occasional misplays in the field and derision by home crowds, officially was removed from his Opening Day position yesterday.

Manager Art Howe spoke with Cedeno before the game and told him to begin taking fly balls in right field while Jeromy Burnitz recuperates from a broken left hand.

Howe then took the unusual step of informing the media of the decision and mentioning he’ll platoon Tsuyoshi Shinjo and Timo Perez in center. Cedeno was not in the starting lineup last night against the Astros; recent arrival Raul Gonzalez was batting seventh and playing right.

Cedeno was hitting .177 with a .227 on-base percentage before last night.

“I see [Braves CF] Andruw Jones make a mistake,” Cedeno said. “That’s part of the game. Everybody makes mistakes.”

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Before the game, the club placed righty David Cone (strained left hip) and Burnitz on the 15-day disabled list. The Mets recalled Joe McEwing and righty Pat Strange from Triple-A Norfolk and optioned catcher Jason Phillips to Norfolk.

The Mets also designated righty Heath Bell for assignment, taking him off the 40-man roster. They then purchased the contract of Gonzalez from Norfolk.

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Howe announced tonight’s starter will be Pedro Astacio and Jae Seo will pitch for Cone on Sunday.