Mets offense continues to put up big numbers; Cabrera injures thumb

NEW YORK – The Mets’ offense continued to do plenty of damage Saturday night.

That’s a good thing for them, because injuries keep hitting the Mets almost as hard.

Shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera joined the Mets’ walking wounded when he suffered a thumb injury in the third inning and exited the Mets’ eventual 11-3 victory over Miami at Citi Field. The Mets (14-15) have won six of their last eight games and have scored at least five runs in nine consecutive contests.

Earlier in the day, the Mets announced that ace righty Noah Syndergaard won’t be able to throw a baseball for at least six weeks because of his partially torn right lat muscle.

GM Sandy Alderson spent most of his pregame news conference fielding questions about Syndergaard, and happened to be in the broadcast booth during the game telecast on PIX11 when Cabrera was injured in the top of the third inning.

With two out, Cabrera landed awkwardly on his left hand after a fully-extended diving attempt to corral Marcell Ozuna’s sharp ground-ball single to left. Cabrera was seen clutching his hand and immediately was removed from the game.

The Mets later announced that Cabrera suffered an injury to his left thumb. X-rays were negative, showing there is no fracture. He will undergo an MRI on Sunday.

After Cabrera was hurt, Mets’ play-by-play voice Gary Cohen asked the general manager if the Mets would consider bringing up prized shortstop prospect Amed Rosario if Cabrera is sidelined for an extended period of time. Alderson indicated the Mets would consider it.

Rosario entered Saturday hitting .381 in 105 at-bats for Class AAA Las Vegas this season.

As for Saturday’s game, Jose Reyes moved from third base to shortstop after Cabrera exited. Wilmer Flores came in and took over at third base.

Reyes, once a prized shortstop prospect for the Mets himself, was asked after the game if he believes Rosario is ready for the big leagues. Reyes played with Rosario in the minor leagues last season and in spring training this year.

“He’s ready,” Reyes said before adding quickly, “I don’t make that decision. … When he gets here, he’s going to be fine because he knows what he can do.”

Reyes said it was difficult to see Cabrera in such pain.

“I wish him a speedy recovery,” Reyes said.

As do all the Mets, because Cabrera, in his second year with the team, has become a clubhouse leader and a vital piece of the puzzle.

“He’s a true professional,” right fielder Jay Bruce said of Cabrera. “I hope it’s not too serious.”

Manager Terry Collins said Cabrera appeared to be in more pain than he was when he injured his knee last summer.

The Mets’ five-run first inning helped Robert Gsellman (2-2) to the victory. Bruce had two doubles and three RBI, and has a team-high 25 RBI.

The Mets' five first-inning runs came off Odrisamer Despaigne (0-1), making his first start of the season in place of Wei-Yin Chen, who is on the disabled list with a tired arm. Cabrera and Bruce both had run-scoring doubles in the inning, which started with first baseman Justin Bour botching Michael Conforto’s grounder for an error.

Gsellman permitted home runs to Giancarlo Stanton and Ozuna, the latter a two-run shot, before being lifted for a pinch-hitter.

Bruce added a two-run double off reliever Dustin McGowan during a three-run seventh inning.