MILWAUKEE — J.D. Davis’ star-crossed season likely concluded Sunday, and it’s possible he has played his last game for the Mets.
The team placed the third baseman on the 10-day injured list with a left hand sprain — Davis’ third trip to the IL this season. Davis has appeared in only 73 games, and recently lost his starting position to Jonathan Villar. The IL move is retroactive to Thursday, leaving it conceivable (but unlikely) Davis could return for Sunday’s season finale in Atlanta.
Davis missed 2 ½ months with ligament damage in his left hand, returning after the All-Star break as part of the third-base mix. He also spent time on the IL in early April, after he was drilled in the left hand by a Chase Anderson pitch. Davis owns a .285/.384/.436 slash line with five homers and 23 RBIs.
“I’m pretty sure it’s related [to the last injury],” manager Luis Rojas said before the Mets’ 8-4 loss to the Brewers on Sunday. “It’s similar to two or three months ago — a similar spot. It’s not pain, like he had shooting pain, but it’s discomfort, enough to get in the way of him swinging at his best.”
The arbitration-eligible Davis is among the players on which the Mets will have to decide for 2022. Team officials sought a third-base upgrade last winter and again at the trade deadline. It’s also possible the Mets could keep Davis as a stopgap until prospects Mark Vientos and Brett Baty are deemed ready. But the Mets could also look to re-sign Villar with the same idea.
Noah Syndergaard’s next step still hasn’t been settled, according to Rojas, but it’s possible the right-hander will rejoin the roster before Tuesday’s doubleheader against the Marlins. Syndergaard has appeared in two games for Triple-A Syracuse as the opener in his latest rehab assignment in his comeback from Tommy John surgery. Wednesday will mark the two-year anniversary of his last major league appearance.
Sean Reid-Foley was activated from the 60-day injured list to give the Mets a multiple-inning reliever. The right-hander, who arrived from Toronto as part of the trade for Steven Matz, had been sidelined since July 4 with right elbow inflammation. To clear space on the 40-man roster, Albert Almora Jr., was designated for assignment. The outfielder appeared in 47 games for the Mets season and owned a .115/.148/ .321 slash line.
Marcus Stroman and Trevor Williams, in succession, are the Mets’ scheduled starting pitchers for Tuesday’s doubleheader against Miami. Taijuan Walker and Tylor Megill are scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, respectively.