Syndergaard gets 2nd opinion

ATLANTA — Noah Syndergaard’s sore right index finger is turning into a potential middle finger to the Mets.

After missing his past two starts with a ligament strain (he experienced swelling during a game of catch last weekend), Syndergaard was in New York on Tuesday to receive a second opinion on the ailment. The Mets did not immediately release the results of the second opinion.

“Nothing else has happened,” general manager Sandy Alderson said before Syndergaard’s medical evaluation. “We want to make sure the next step that we take and he takes is the right one and this type of injury is a little bit unusual.

“It happens to pitchers, but typically it happens on their middle finger and not their index finger. This is sort of a case of first impression here, so that is why we want to be careful.”

Mickey Callaway’s upcoming rotation excludes Syndergaard. Steven Matz will open a four-game series at Arizona on Thursday, followed by Seth Lugo, Jason Vargas and Zack Wheeler.

Asdrubal Cabrera returned to the starting lineup in the cleanup spot in the Mets’ 8-2 loss to the Braves, going 0for-4, after departing Sunday’s game with tightness in his left hamstring. Cabrera likely will receive a day off Wednesday.

AJ Ramos is deciding between shoulder surgery and a more conservative approach, according to Alderson. In either case, the reliever will remain sidelined indefinitely. Wilmer Flores had a double in three at-bats while playing the first five innings of a seven-inning minor league game for Single-A St. Lucie on Tuesday. Jeurys Familia is expected to begin throwing to batters in Port St. Lucie this week.

Alderson said Double-A first baseman Peter Alonso likely will be promoted soon to Triple-A Las Vegas to take Dominic Smith’s spot. Michael Conforto moved into the leadoff spot, as Callaway kept Brandon Nimmo third in the batting order.