The New York Mets have activated starting pitcher Steve Trachsel from the 60-day disabled list and the righthander is expected to make his first start of the season on Friday. Trachsel has been sidelined since spring training with a herniated disc in his back that required surgery in mid-March. The Mets activated Trachsel from the DL after Tuesday night's 14-1 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks at Bank One Ballpark. To make room on the roster, relief pitcher Danny Graves was designated for assignment. The 34-year-old Trachsel, who went 12-13 with a 4.00 ERA in 33 starts last year for New York, is scheduled to start Friday night in San Francisco against the Giants in the opener of a three-game weekend set. Kris Benson was set to pitch on Friday for New York, but he will be moved back to Sunday for the series finale. Trachsel rarely missed action because of injury since joining the Mets in 2001 and had started at least 30 games in each of the past three seasons. He hurt himself at some point of spring training and an MRI revealed that surgery was needed. Graves has fallen on hard times this season. He was released by the Reds earlier this year and later signed with the Mets. With Cincinnati, the veteran reliever was 1-1 with a lofty 6.63 ERA. He yielded 30 hits and 15 earned runs in 18 1/3 innings over 20 games. In New York he wasn't any better, posting a 5.89 ERA and allowing 12 earned runs on 27 hits in 18 1/3 frames.