MET NOTES

Edgardo Alfonzo’s left abdominal strain is improving, but he may not be ready to return from the DL on Tuesday. Alfonzo estimated he feels 70 percent normal when swinging.

Bobby Valentine said the strain is an injury that takes longer than most to heal. He thinks Alfonzo might need some more time. “I doubt Tuesday,” Valentine said of Alfonzo’s return.

Returning is important for Alfonzo because he is a free agent and would like to go on the market with the best numbers possible. He is hitting .323 with 10 homers and 43 RBIs.

Alfonzo could go on a minor league rehab before coming off the DL, but none has been planned.

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Mike Piazza (left wrist) started for the first time in a week last night. He wore a small bandage on the wrist, but that didn’t stop him from breaking up Odalis Perez’ no-hitter with a two-run homer with one out in the seventh.

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Roberto Alomar (groin) didn’t start last night. Valentine indicated Alomar could go today.

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Jeromy Burnitz again wasn’t in the Met starting lineup. He came up as a pinch-hitter and delivered an RBI single with one out in the ninth, but was thrown out at second by Dodgers right fielder Marquis Grissom on a bloop by Ty Wigginton.

With lefty Kaz Ishii going for L.A. today, it seems likely Burnitz will be on the bench again. “Who knows?” Valentine mused. “Tune in tomorrow and you’ll find out.”

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During the rainy pre-game ceremonies for the 40th anniversary team, Darryl Strawberry spoke on videotape.

The TV broadcast booth was named after Ralph Kiner, while the radio booth was named for Bob Murphy last night. Before today’s game, Tommie Agee will be inducted into the Mets’ Hall of Fame.

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Unsolicited during his meeting with the press, Valentine gave a testimonial for Rey Ordonez’ hitting. Ordonez entered the night leading the Mets in doubles with 24.