Ventura On Highway To DL

Mets third baseman Robin Ventura will probably be put on the disabled list with an injured right rotator cuff, the team said after Saturday's 6-4 loss at Boston.

Ventura returned to New York for an MRI test, which showed a bruise. The Mets have not made a decision on whether to put him on DL, but spokesman Jay Horwitz said it was likely.

Ventura hurt himself sliding into second base on June 25 against Pittsburgh, and has been bothered by the injury ever since. He went 0-for-4 and struck out three times Thursday night against the Red Sox, and reported discomfort after the game.

The Mets are hopeful that rest and anti-inflammatory drugs can help heal the problem. Ventura had surgery on his right shoulder last December, but the Mets said this injury was not related to that operation.

Ventura is batting .235 with 16 home runs and 53 RBIs. His replacement at third base, Matt Franco, made a key throwing error in Saturday's loss.

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