Mets Put Franco on Disabled List

New York Met closer John Franco was put on the 15-day disabled list Saturday, a day after injuring his finger while mopping up the team’s most lopsided shutout loss ever.

The left-hander strained a tendon on the middle finger of his pitching hand while pitching the ninth inning of the Mets’ 16-0 loss to Atlanta on Friday night.

“I just felt something pop,” Franco said.

Without Franco, the Mets will probably use Armando Benitez as their closer.

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The Yankees put outfielder Shane Spencer on the 15-day disabled list because of an irregular heartbeat.

Spencer left Friday night’s game against Baltimore because of dizziness in the sixth inning. He spent the night at a hospital and underwent tests Saturday.

Yankee team physician Stuart Hershon said Spencer had no prior history of heart problems.

“I wouldn’t say he was ever in danger,” Hershon said. “But when there is an irregularity in the heartbeat of a 27-year-old, you want to find out what’s wrong.”

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The Houston Astros put pitcher Sean Bergman on the 15-day disabled list because of tightness in his right forearm. . . . Montreal outfielder Rondell White was put on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained right hamstring. . . . The San Francisco Giants put third baseman Charlie Hayes on the 15-day disabled list because of an injured left wrist. . . . Reliever Gregg Olson was put on the 15-day disabled list by the Arizona Diamondbacks because of back spasms.