MET NOTES

Darryl Hamilton again was not in the starting lineup yesterday, which, it appears, is going to be the norm.

Hamilton denies it, but sources said the big toe on his left foot has acted up, which will limit his playing time. Yesterday, Lenny Harris started in right in place of Derek Bell.

Hamilton, who’s been slowed by the bad toe all season, hasn’t played an entire game in more than a week. He did pinch-hit in the eighth inning of yesterday’s 4-1, 10-inning win over the Brewers at Shea, but after he popped out he didn’t stay in the game.

In his last start Saturday against the Phillies, Hamilton was removed for a pinch-hitter after 6½ innings.

“There is nothing wrong with me,” Hamilton said before yesterday’s win.

Manager Bobby Valentine might want to give Hamilton some rest because Hamilton has looked a little gimpy on the toe since the last time he started and completed a game, which was eight days ago on the artificial turf in Cincinnati.

The 35-year-old Hamilton has done a very good job of playing through the pain since he returned to the team early last month after spending nearly four months on the DL with the toe problem. He thinks he is able to play a full game.

But it seems unlikely Hamilton would start in the near future. It would seem unwise to have Hamilton play extended innings during any of the four games, beginning tonight, in Montreal. The reason is because Olympic Stadium has Astroturf.

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There was a hilarious doubleplay in the sixth inning. With no outs and Ron Belliard on first, Raul Casanova hit a grounder toward the shortstop side of second.

Mike Bordick moved over and fielded the grounder, which took a bad hop. Bordick stumbled, his glove touching the second base bag. He then tumbled over on his side and threw to first to complete the DP. Bordick then helped up Belliard, who had slid in on the play.

“I’ve never had one like that before,” Bordick said.