TORONTO – Robin Ventura concurred with his manager Bobby Valentine’s assessment of his bruised rotator cuff, which has put the Mets’ third baseman on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to Friday.

Ventura isn’t glad to go on the DL, but it is better than the alternative.

“I’m happy I don’t have to have surgery,” said Ventura, who arrived here during yesterday’s 7-3 Mets loss to the Blue Jays.

If the 33-year-old Ventura had needed surgery for a torn labrum – that was the alternative – he would be done for the season. Instead, he is expected to be ready to go in two weeks.

Ventura said he feels pain when he raises his arm above his head. He said the injury has affected all facets of his game. Valentine thinks Ventura hasn’t been as aggressive at third.

It’s been most notable at the plate. Ventura is hitting .235 with 16 homers and 53 RBIs. This is way below his output of last season when he finished at .301 with 32 homers and 120 RBIs.