Mets to keep ignoring stud prospect as Asdrubal Cabrera aches

PHOENIX — Asdrubal Cabrera’s sore left thumb had him unavailable for a second straight game Monday and possibly headed to the disabled list.

The Mets shortstop was removed from Saturday’s game in Milwaukee after aggravating the thumb while swinging the bat. Cabrera suffered the injury — classified as a sprain by assistant general manager John Ricco — a week earlier diving for a ball at Citi Field.

“The ligament is not affected,” Ricco said, responding to a report Cabrera had a ligament tear. “It’s a joint. We have to see how he feels [Tuesday]. To his credit, he wants to keep fighting.”

Top prospect Amed Rosario is not a candidate for a promotion to the Mets if Cabrera needs a DL stint, according to Ricco. The 21-year-old Rosario entered Monday with a .359/.401/.493 slash line for Triple-A Las Vegas.

“We like what he’s doing down there, but we think he needs more time,” Ricco said.

Gavin Cecchini is among the primary candidates to be summoned from Las Vegas if the Mets need another infielder. But Jose Reyes, who recently was squeezed out from the starting lineup, would resume as the regular shortstop.

“[Cabrera] is still pretty sore, so obviously it has bothered him more than it did even before,” manager Terry Collins said before the Mets lost to the Diamondbacks, 7-3.

Yoenis Cespedes could be within a week of rejoining the Mets. Cespedes, who has been on the disabled list since April 28 with a left hamstring strain, is close to beginning a running program, according to Ricco, as he continues to take batting practice in Port St. Lucie. Cespedes’ running program will take five or six days to complete.

Steven Matz and Seth Lugo are scheduled to pitch in a rehab game Thursday for Single-A St. Lucie. Both pitchers threw two innings in an extended spring training game Saturday.

David Wright has been in New York working with physical therapists but is not participating in baseball activities, according to Ricco. The third baseman has been sidelined since spring training with an impingement in his right shoulder.

Brandon Nimmo’s rehab assignment was set to conclude Monday, and the Mets planned to option the outfielder to Triple-A Las Vegas.

Travis d’Arnaud, who has been sidelined with a bruised right wrist, has been hitting from a tee, according to Ricco, but it is unclear when he can begin taking batting practice.

Tim Tebow went 0-3 with two strikeouts as Single-A Columbia won the first game of a doubleheader against the BlueClaws on Monday in Lakewood, N.J.

Tebow did not play in the second game as the teams split the doubleheader.

Brandon Nimmo’s rehab assignment was set to conclude Monday, and the Mets planned to option the outfielder to Triple-A Las Vegas.

Travis d’Arnaud, who has been sidelined with a bruised right wrist, has been hitting from a tee, according to Ricco, but it is unclear when he can begin taking batting practice.