Syndergaard battling finger issues

New York Mets righthander Noah Syndergaard’s exits from two recent starts because of finger issues aren’t cause for concern, manager Terry Collins says.

Syndergaard left a game Friday at Miami after six innings due to two bleeding fingernails, and he left his first start of the season after six scoreless innings because of a blister.

“If it was the same thing, we’d have to look at it,” Collins said Saturday. “But since it’s two different things, I don’t think it’s anything to worry about. I think he’ll be OK.”

Despite the issues with his fingers, Syndergaard is 10 with a 0.95 ERA in three starts, with 20 strikeouts in 19 innings.

“He’s one of the top pitchers in baseball right now,” Collins said. “I give him a lot of credit. He’s a tireless worker. He keeps himself in tremendous shape. He asks a lot of questions. He tries to refine pitches. And he commands his stuff.”

Syndergaard has yet to walk a batter this season.

Reds

Cincinnati lost another starter. Left-hander Brandon Finnegan came out of a 7-5 victory against visiting Milwaukee after the first inning because of shoulder soreness. The Reds already have three starters on the disabled list. “He felt it a little bit after his last start, but he did everything between starts and he seemed fine,” manager Bryan Price said. “Then it popped back up. He won’t make his next start. It’s not good right now.”

Twins

Second baseman Brian Dozier was not in the lineup against the White Sox because of a right knee contusion. Twins executive vice president Derek Falvey said that an MRI on Dozier's knee earlier Saturday came back clean.

Cardinals

St. Louis starter Carlos Martinez put on a historically uneven performance, walking a career-high eight while striking out 11 and handing the host Yankees a 3-2 win. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like that,” Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said.

Red Sox

Chris Sale was dominant with 12 strikeouts in seven innings in his first victory for Boston by beating visiting Tampa Bay, 2-1. Sale (1-1) allowed one run on three hits with three walks, striking out seven of the final nine batters he faced.