NEW YORK -- Asdrubal Cabrera headed back to the 10-day disabled list on Tuesday with a sprained left thumb. T.J. Rivera was called up in a corresponding move.
Despite hitting two home runs off John Lackey in Monday's 6-1 win over the Cubs, Cabrera will take more time to heal a thumb he injured last month and spent a previous DL stint rehabbing. The impetus for his placement on the DL was the pain the switch-hitting Cabrera experienced while hitting from the right side against lefties.
Cabrera began feeling discomfort again over the weekend in Atlanta when he faced left-hander Sean Newcomb in his Major League debut. That led to a couple of awkward bunt attempts while hitting from the right side on Sunday and Monday -- simply because it hurt too much to swing. With New York facing six -- possibly seven -- left-handed starters in the next 11 days between the Cubs, Nationals and Dodgers, Cabrera would often be hitting from the right side. Mets manager Terry Collins decided it would be best to place Cabrera on the DL.
"I applaud Cabby," Collins said. "He said, 'Hey, look, I'll do what's best for the team. If I need to go on the DL, I'll do that so you have enough players.'"

Cabrera said he will receive a cortisone shot to ease the pain. His activity during his time on the DL is still undetermined, and it won't be clearer until he sees how he responds to the shot. Cabrera added that doctors told him the thumb did not have to be surgically repaired. Both Cabrera and Collins do not expect him to be out much more than the minimum 10 days.
"We need to get him better," Collins said. "Due to the 10-day DL, he's not going to miss many games, except for this left-handed pitching [stretch]. So, if this rest quiets the thumb down to where he can hit right-handed, he's going to help us."
Cabrera is hitting .244 with six home runs and 20 RBIs in 49 games. He sports a slash line of .233/.267/.302 batting righty against left-handed pitching in 45 plate appearances.
Worth noting
• Michael Conforto was out of the lineup again with a stiff back. The Mets are being cautious with the flare-up, but do not expect it to be serious. Collins said before the game he did not expect Conforto to be available off the bench.
• Yoenis Cespedes is in the lineup Tuesday after leaving Monday's game with a sore left heel.