MIAMI — Ike Davis is starting to show signs he can again be a productive player for the Mets.
After nearly getting demoted to Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday, the first baseman capped his week with a two-run homer in the Mets’ 11-6 loss to the Marlins yesterday.
Davis, who finished with two hits and three RBIs, is on a 5-for-15 (.333) surge over his last four games.
But his most significant hit was the two-run blast he hit in yesterday’s fourth inning against Kevin Slowey that made it 4-4. Davis had last homered on April 25.
“It’s good that one went over the fence, but I feel that I’m having better at-bats and putting the ball in play more,” Davis said.
Davis said it’s too early to say he’s on the kind of upswing that propelled him to a huge second half last season that allowed him to finish with 32 home runs.
“I’m making solid contact again, that helps — not striking out as much,” Davis said. “So I’ve just got to grind it out and we’ve got a lot of games left and we’ll see what happens over a longer stretch of time.”
* Manager Terry Collins will keep Matt Harvey on his normal rest, putting the right-hander in position to start Friday’s game against the Marlins at Citi Field.
That decision will allow Jon Niese to pitch Saturday with extra rest.
Niese, who missed his last start because of left shoulder tendinitis, is scheduled to throw tomorrow and then have a full bullpen session the following day.
* Travis d’Arnaud is scheduled to be examined by team doctors today in New York, at which time he could be cleared to resume baseball activities.
The catcher — who was the centerpiece of the R.A. Dickey trade to the Blue Jays last winter — has been sidelined since mid-April with a broken left foot. Even if he is cleared to resume baseball activities, it’s expected d’Arnaud will need about three weeks of workouts before rejoining Triple-A Las Vegas. But that could put him in position for a call-up to the Mets shortly after the All-Star break.
* Omar Quintanilla finished 3-for-4 and has three straight multi-hit games for the Mets. Quintanilla arrived on Thursday after Ruben Tejada was placed on the disabled list with a strained right quadriceps.