DETROIT — Eric Chavez and injury have met again.

The Yankees third baseman left Thursday’s 6-3 loss to the Tigers at Comerica Park with a small fracture of the fifth metatarsal in the left foot after hitting an RBI triple in the fourth inning.

Chavez, who started in place of slumping Alex Rodriguez, appeared to stagger between second and third and required help from trainer Steve Donohue to get off the field.

Chavez, 33, took the first available flight to New York, where he will be examined by Yankees doctor Chris Ahmad then likely see a foot specialist.

In the past three seasons, two prior with the A’s, Chavez has been limited to 64 games because of injuries. In 17 games this year, Chavez was hitting .303 (10-for-33) with six RBIs.

Signed to a minor-league contract in the offseason, Chavez provided depth at first base and third base.

“It’s obviously a problem for us,’’ Rodriguez said. “He has been swinging the bat extremely well since coming to camp.’’

The Yankees were deciding how to fill Chavez’s roster spot. They could elevate utility infielder Ramiro Pena from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (Triple-A) or corner infielder Jorge Vazquez from the same team.

Vazquez, 29, has more of a bat but doesn’t play first or third really well. The right-handed hitter was batting .302 (32-for-106) with nine homers and 27 RBIs.

Pena, a 25-year-old switch hitter who spent the entire 2010 season with the Yankees, provides sure hands and accurate arm at second base, third and shortstop. If he is selected, Eduardo Nunez can back up at shortstop, third base and left field.

Pena can’t play first base, so right fielder Nick Swisher would become Mark Teixeira’s backup.

Pena was hitting .233 (20-for-86) with two homers and seven RBIs for SWB.