Las Vegas catcher d’Arnaud, top Mets prospect, breaks foot

51s catcher Travis d’Arnaud, the Mets’ top minor league prospect, has broken his left foot and was placed on the disabled list today.

D’Arnaud was hit by a foul tip Wednesday during a game during a Triple-A game against the Sacramento River Cats at Cashman Field.

Mets spokesman Jay Horwitz said d’Arnaud was scheduled to be examined by team doctors Friday. There was no timetable for his return, and surgery remains a possibility.

D’Arnaud was hitting .250 with five doubles, one homer and eight RBIs in 12 games for the 51s.

The 24-year-old from Long Beach, Calif., was a key piece in the offseason trade that sent National League Cy Young winner R.A. Dickey to Toronto.

As a member of the Blue Jays’ organization, d’Arnaud played with the 51s last year. He hit safely in 53 of 67 games, with a .333 average and 16 homers and 52 RBIs. But his season was cut short when he tore a ligament in his left knee June 25 while sliding into second base, again against the River Cats at Cashman Field.

D’Arnaud has been a minor league all-star at every level and was a three-time high school All-American.

He was selected in the first round of the 2007 draft by the Phillies’ organization and was part of the trade that brought Roy Halladay to Philadelphia.

Juan Centeno was called up from Double-A Binghamton to replace d’Arnaud on the 51s’ roster.

D’Arnaud’s brother, Chase, is an infielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He’s also on the disabled list after having surgery on his thumb during spring training.