MET NOTES
Mike Cameron was a late scratch from the lineup last night after suffering a strained ligament in his right hand on Wednesday. X-rays were negative, but he was held out of the 2-1, 11-inning victory over the Giants.
Cameron injured the pinkie finger of his right hand in the fourth inning on Wednesday while attempting to score on a wild pickoff throw by Giants starter Jerome Williams. Cameron slapped his hand on the plate a split-second after being tagged out by catcher Yorvit Torrealba.
It didn’t seem to affect him at the plate on Wednesday. In the eighth inning, he crushed a 405-foot, two-run home run off Giants righty Matt Herges for his second homer in two games. But the hand swelled up overnight and he had trouble making a fist.
Joe McEwing started in center field, going 1-for-4. Art Howe said he has no idea when Cameron will be back in the lineup.
* Before the game, Howe indicated Ty Wigginton would be activated today. The third baseman is on the 15-day disabled list with an ulcer. He went 1-for-4 for Single-A Port St. Lucie last night.
Jeff Duncan would have been optioned to Norfolk, but he’s needed for insurance until Cameron gets healthy.
* Howe said Jae Seo likely will be treated with caution after he cracked his right index fingernail during Wednesday’s start. Predictably, Seo asked to remain on course for his scheduled start on Monday in Arizona.
Howe said, “I doubt very seriously” that would happen and mentioned reliever Dan Wheeler as a possible replacement. He also joked the team could “pray for rain,” although that probably won’t help considering Bank One Ballpark has a retractable roof.
Pitching coach Rick Peterson said the club wouldn’t announce pitching plans until today. Seo could throw his side session today or tomorrow, Peterson said.
Last season, Seo split his nail during 6 2/3 innings of one-hit ball at Florida on June 17. He didn’t make his next start until June 27 and lost his next six decisions.
“It is true my numbers weren’t that great after the crack last year,” Seo said through a translator. “I think it’s somewhat of a coincidence it happened that way.
“I think I’m better prepared. It was really not a really big factor as to why I struggled last year.”