The New York Mets have placed shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera on the 10-day disabled list with what the team called a “sprained left thumb” in an announcement reported by ESPN.
Cabrera suffered the injury initially back on May 6 against the Miami Marlins, but aggravated it Sunday against the Milwaukee Brewers.
The two-time All Star is currently hitting .257 with three home runs and 14 RBI on the season and there is no timetable for his return. In a corresponding move, the Mets added right-handed reliever Neil Ramirez to help boost an ailing bullpen.
This is not the first time that Cabrera, who signed a two-year deal with the Mets prior to the 2016 season, has dealt with injuries. He strained his patellar tendon on July 31 last year and missed about three weeks.
As to who will take over for Cabrera at shortstop, that is still up in the air. Marc Carig of Newsday stated yesterday that prospect Amed Rosario “needs more time” and will not be called up according to Mets assistant GM John Ricco.
This likely means that New York will continue to use veteran Jose Reyes at shortstop. Wilmer Flores could also be an option down the line.
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Thus continue the Mets’ injury woes for 2017. Besides Cabrera, star outfielder Yoenis Cespedes is about a week away from returning from a hamstring strain. Ace pitcher Noah Syndergaard is on the 60-day DL with a lat strain and won’t throw for another several weeks.
These injuries are really taking a toll on the Mets as well. The team is 16-21 and sits eight games behind the first-place Washington Nationals. That record has New York at second place in the NL East, but five straight losses show that much improvement is needed with or without Cabrera.
Here’s hoping Cabrera can come back soon and help guide a much-needed turnaround.