Ike Davis, who left Saturday's game against the Nationals with a strained oblique, has received an anti-inflammatory shot and will miss the remainder of the 2013 season, according to multiple reports.
Davis' well-documented horrendous start to the season led to a late- June demotion to Triple-A Las Vegas. He vastly improved after returning to the big club, posting an .872 OPS with more walks than strikeouts. Still, his OPS+ for the season will end at 89 and his two straight brutal first-halves have put his future with the team very much in doubt.
Lucas Duda figures to get the bulk of the playing time in Davis' absence, especially against right-handed pitching. Duda also spent extended time in Triple-A this season but sports a 125 OPS+, and seems most comfortable when playing first base. Although it's a small sample, his OPS is .867 in 55 games at the position, easily his best mark.
As this "bridge" season draws to a close, the Mets will have one more opportunity to evaluate first base options.