by BART HUBBUCH , The New York Post

Rather than give Murphy a chance to capitalize on his highlight-reel defensive play and two doubles Wednesday, Manuel instead had the struggling Fernando Tatis at first base vs. left-hander Randy Wolf during the Mets' 11-2 loss to the Dodgers.

Murphy did enter the game in the top of eighth inning after Gary Sheffield (2-for-4, RBI) was ejected for arguing a third strike to end the seventh inning. Tatis (1-for-3) moved into Sheffield's spot in right field.

Murphy struck out in his only at-bat in the bottom of the ninth.

Manuel's logic appeared tortured as he faced repeated questions about sitting Murphy, who was coming off his first two-hit game since June 22 in Wednesday's 5-4 win.

The primary thrust of Manuel's argument was that the Mets will face nothing but right-handers from Cincinnati this weekend.

"If this was a situation where we had another lefty [tonight], then he would probably have played [last night]," Manuel said of Murphy. "But being we're going to face three righties, it gives him a chance to keep what he has going and not let a lefty kind of get him out of that."

Manuel also felt he would be sacrificing too much defensively with Murphy at first base and Tatis at second.

"That's a lot of defensive people that are not in good places - a lot," Manuel said. "And that might be too much to overcome."

Murphy, in his typical selfless approach, said he was unruffled by the decision.

"Whatever lineup Jerry wants to put out there is fine with me," he said.

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Reliever J.J. Putz said he is about a week ahead of schedule after elbow surgery last month and expects to start throwing again next Thursday.

Putz isn't expected back until mid-August, but the rapid progress means he could be back slightly earlier than that.

"It's very encouraging," Putz said yesterday. "I mean, I've taken one pain pill throughout this entire process. That's pretty good."

Putz said he hopes to throw while traveling with the Mets on a 10-game trip that begins after the All-Star break in Atlanta.

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Manuel said he chided catcher Brian Schneider for not helping out Sheffield on Wednesday when Sheffield barely scored while standing up in the third inning.

Schneider was in the on-deck circle, and it's customary for that player to stand near the plate and direct his incoming teammate. Schneider was nowhere to be found, causing Sheffield to almost get tagged out and prompting a postgame talk from Manuel. "He should have been there," Manuel said. "No question."

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Carlos Delgado continued to encourage the Mets yesterday, taking infield practice for the second day in a row and also went into the batting cage for some simulated hitting work.

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