Running, may return early next week

thumb, though the team insisted that an MRI showed no damage to the ligaments in his thumb.

He initially injured the thumb diving for a ball May 6, leaving the game and missing one to let it calm down. He aggravated it Saturday night when he torqued his hand trying to hit an inside pitch.

The 31-year old has also been nursing but playing through an undefined leg issue, which has been described by the Mets as a hamstring and the back of his knee. His defensive range has looked significantly limited this season, especially compared to last season. He is hitting .257 with three home runs and 14 RBI in 33 games.

Cabrera’s DL is retroactive to May 14. The Mets will use Jose Reyes at shortstop while Cabrera is out. Top prospect Amed Rosario is not ready, according to the Mets.

BULLPEN BOLSTERING

The signing of Ramirez was one the Mets needed to make — they needed any available arm to help shore up a struggling staff. Ramirez was designated for assignment by both the Giants and Blue Jay this season.

Collins said all he knew about Ramirez was that he had experience and could give him some innings.

“I looked at his numbers and had a chat with him. Looks like he’s got a good arm and some experience,” Collins said. “We are certainly in need of a guy who can come out of the bullpen and has some experience down there. Hopefully he’ll get some outs for us.” The Mets need that desperately. The bullpen had a 5.26 ERA heading into Tuesday night’s game, the third worst in the National League. They have taken nine losses, and with Josh Edgin also giving up a solo homer Monday night, the bullpen has allowed 23 through the first 37 games. That is the second most given up by any bullpen in the majors.

Ramirez appeared in nine games for the Giants this season, allowing 10 earned runs in 10.1 innings. He did not appear in a game for the Blue Jays.

In four years in the majors, Ramirez has bounced around. Originally drafted by the Rangers, he was sent to the Cubs in 2013 as the “player to be named,” in the deal that sent Matt Garza to Texas and Carl Edwards to the Cubs.

Ramirez posted a 1.44 ERA (seven earned runs/43.2 innings) with three saves in 50 games with the Cubs in 2014.

In 96 career appearances, Ramirez has a 3.72 ERA.