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Mets manager Mickey Callaway is starting to rearrange some pieces to help get more production out of his outfield.
Callaway told WFAN's Mike Francesa on Thursday that J.D. Davis will start in left field Friday night at Miami. It will be Davis' first start in the outfield this season and just the fourth of his career. His previous 23 starts this season have all come at third base.
Callaway mentioned the plan for Davis after being asked about the struggles of outfielder Keon Broxton, who is 1-for-his-last-25 after Thursday's 7-6 loss to the Nationals.
Andy Marlin/USA TODAY Images "He comes to the park to play every day, with enthusiasm. He has a great attitude," Callaway said. "It's a tall order, but that's the reality of his situation at this point. It's sporadic playing time. When you get in there, sometimes you have to step up. Unfortunately hasn't happened for him, but it's not for lack of preparation."
Davis is hitting .274 with with three home runs.
The Mets' outfield became even more shallow Thursday when Michael Conforto suffered a concussion. He was headed back to New York for further evaluation, and a stint on the injured list looks very possible. Jeff McNeil, meanwhile, left Thursday's game early with abdominal tightness. Callaway said he's not too concerned about McNeil and that he might be available Friday depending on how his morning evaluation goes.
The Mets are 20-22 and, as of Thursday evening, 3 1/2 games behind the Phillies for the NL East lead. Callaway said the team's biggest problem is that the offense and defense have not been clicking at the same time.
"The thing that we've been missing is putting everything together," he said. "We've pitched well at times. We've hit well at times. We just haven't put them together consistently until like the last week, and when we do that, we're going to be a team to be reckoned with.
"I feel like these guys have all the talent in the world, and we're just going to put those two things together and take off."
To listen to Francesa's interview with Callaway, click on the audio player above.