Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports

New York Mets third baseman J.D. Davis is currently on the 10-day injured list after getting hit on the hand last week in his team’s opening series of the season versus the Philadelphia Phillies.

While Davis initially believed this injury would not require a trip to the IL, the Mets ultimately made the move to place him on this list after the hand continued to swell.

Now, Davis is taking ground balls and has begun swinging the bat as he took batting practice on Tuesday. Manager Luis Rojas expects Davis to be activated from the injured list on the road this weekend when he is eligible to return.

While Davis should be back with the Mets by April 17, the third base job should not be handed to him right away.

And that is because the Mets have received serviceable production from Jonathan Villar, who drove in two-runs, including a walk off hit, in Tuesday’s doubleheader sweep of the Phillies. Slick fielding utility man Luis Guillorme has also gotten off to a solid start at the plate going 4-for-11 with four walks, and slashing .364/.533/.364 with a .897 OPS.  Not to mention, Guillorme is a magician with his glove in the field and a significant upgrade defensively over Davis.

Davis initially earned his spot as a starter on the Mets with a productive 2019 campaign, where he hit 22 home runs and drove in 57 RBIs, while batting .307/.369/.527 in 140 games. The 27-year-old began the year as a bench player, but his scorching hot bat eventually thrusted him into a starting role as the year progressed.

However, Davis had an off year in a weird, shortened season in 2020. In 56 games, Davis did not look like himself at the plate slashing just .247/.371/.389 with six homers and 19 RBIs.

It has been quite some time since the Mets have seen the 2019 version of Davis, who had great balance at the plate and was a productive bat. This does not necessarily mean that player was a flash in the pan, but the Amazins’ should try going back to square one, which would be using Davis off the bench as a pinch-hitter and part-time player until he proves that 2019 was no fluke offensively.

The Mets’ offense has struggled to hit with runners in scoring position in Davis’ absence. Upon his return, if Davis can come through in these situations, it will be tough for Luis Rojas to keep him out of the lineup.

But for now, Davis has to earn his keep once he is healthy and ready to go.