Thumbs down for Mets closer Rodriguez

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Troubled New York Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez has a torn ligament in his right thumb and did not travel with the team to Texas for their series against the Houston Astros, Major League Baseball said on their website.

Rodriguez was suspended last week for two games after being arrested on suspicion of assaulting the father of his partner Daian Pena at the Mets' ballpark following their 6-2 loss to the Colorado Rockies Wednesday.

The four-time All-Star reliever was examined at a New York hospital Monday having complained of discomfort in his thumb after pitching in Saturday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies.

"I'm disappointed, discouraged, frustrated," Mets manager Jerry Manuel was quoted as saying by mlb.com.

"We've been through a lot. We seem to continue to have difficulties in having these type of injuries or setbacks."

The Mets, who entered Monday's game with a 58-59 record, were in third place in the NL East, 10 games behind leaders Atlanta.

Rodriguez had thrown 10 1/3 scoreless innings over his last nine games and had 25 saves in 30 opportunities this season. He is in the second year of a three-year $37 million deal.

(Writing by Larry Fine, Editing by Ian Ransom)