The Mets received a promising update on the health of JD Davis after jamming his shoulder during Tuesday’s spring training game against the Detroit Tigers.
“We got an MRI today,” Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen said Wednesday. “It didn’t show a ton of inflammation, which is good, and it didn’t’ show any new structural damage to his shoulder.”
Davis will be re-evaluated next week where he will be closely monitored by the team, per Van Wagenen.
He suffered the injury while diving for a ball at third base — a position he is attempting to improve on to get as many at-bats as possible within the Mets’ lineup.
The 26-year-old was slated to see significant time in left field — as he did last season — with Yoenis Cespedes still recovering from an ankle injury. But with the slugger set to be ready within the first month of the season, the Mets are looking for other avenues to ensure Davis remains in the mix.
Coming over from the Astros, Davis shined in his first full MLB season with the Mets. He slashed .307/.369/.527 in 140 games with 22 home runs and 57 RBI while playing left field and third base within a platoon that included Jeff McNeil and Dominic Smith.
McNeil is expected to be the Mets’ Opening Day third baseman with Davis as his main backup.
Giving Davis extended time at third base could further compromise an already questionable Mets defense, though. He committed five errors in 31 games at the position last season.
He easily started a 5-4-3 double play earlier in Tuesday’s game before the injury.
While he remained on the ground for a few moments, Tigers’ doctors immediately were able to confirm that his rotator cuff or labrum was not damaged.
Davis later said that the arm felt “fine,” but admitted that it also felt “dead” and “weak.”
