VERO BEACH, Fla.-The Mets plugged a hole in their starting rotation yesterday, acquiring left-hander Kazuhisa Ishii from the Los Angeles Dodgers for catcher Jason Phillips.

The Mets traded for Ishii to fill the void created when they lost Steve Trachsel to a back injury last week. Trachsel, who made 33 starts last season, had surgery Saturday to repair a herniated disc and will miss at least three to six months. Ishii will step into the rotation behind Pedro Martinez, Tom Glavine, Kris Benson, and Victor Zambrano.

Ishii went 13-8 with a 4.71 ERA in 31 starts last season for Los Angeles. Often erratic, he walked 98 batters in 172 innings. He is 36-25 with a 4.30 ERA in three seasons with the Dodgers since coming over from Japan.

Due to injuries, Phillips got a chance to play regularly with the Mets in 2003 and was a pleasant surprise, hitting .298 with 11 home runs and 58 RBI. But last season his numbers dropped to .218 with seven homers and 34 RBI.

Ishii is set to make $3.2 million this year with an option for 2006 that can be bought out for $2.2 million. Phillips will earn $339,000 this season.

In spring action yesterday, Andres Galarraga and Ramon Castro homered, helping a Mets split squad defeat the Baltimore Orioles 5-1.

Winning pitcher Matt Ginter al lowed only one hit and an unearned run in four innings, walking two and striking out two.

The other Mets squad beat the Dodgers 10-9 behind a home run from Eric Valent in the ninth inning. Braden Looper got the win in relief.

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JETER, WILLIAMS HURTING

Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter missed yesterday’s game against Tampa Bay with a bruised left foot and will be out for the next few days.

Jeter got hurt when he fouled a ball of his foot Saturday. He was sore when he arrived for treatment yesterday and was sent to the hospital for X-rays, which were negative. Manager Joe Torre didn’t rule out Jeter returning Tuesday.

Center fielder Bernie Williams also missed the game after straining his upper back during batting practice yesterday. Williams, through a team spokesman, said he felt “discomfort” while swinging right-handed and decided to shut it down to prevent additional problems.

“Hopefully it’s nothing serious,” Torre said. “He’ll get treatment. That’s all that’s planned right now.”

On the field, Mike Mussina allowed five runs and nine hits in four innings during the Yankees’ 5-3 loss to the Devil Rays yesterday.