Shawn Green knew in spring training that the odds of the Mets picking up his $10-million option for 2008 was slim.

At worst, the Mets will give him a $2 million buyout.

"I'm up in the air," Green, 34, said about his long-term future.

For the short-term, he figures to spend a lot of time on the bench as manager Willie Randolph said Lastings Milledge will get more playing time, even against right-handed pitching.

Green is hitting .274, but with an unsatisfactory eight homers and 36 RBI, which is disappointingly low for a run-producing position.

With the Mets entertaining the thought of activating outfielder Endy Chavez from the disabled list before the rosters expand on Sept. 1, it is not out of the question that Green could be designated for assignment.

METS 5, DODGERS 2: Oliver Perez threw 23 pitches in the first inning, but pulled it together to pitch seven scoreless innings and give up just three hits against Los Angeles.

In his previous four starts this month, Perez had given up 18 runs in 21 2/3 innings.

INSIDE EDGE
There is no compelling reason to activate OF Endy Chavez from the disabled list (hamstring) before the Sept. 1 call-up date, but the Mets are saying that is possible. Adding a left-handed hitting outfielder could mean subtracting a left-handed hitting outfielder, possibly Shawn Green.

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