MLB

Valdespin audition with Mets looking like a flop

After all of the talk and the tweets and the trouble, Jordany Valdespin is finally getting a chance to play. With Ike Davis demoted to the minors, Valdespin will have his shot at extended playing time, his shot to show whether he’s an everyday player or just an enigmatic prospect. So far, the early returns aren’t all that good.

Valdespin went hitless in his third straight game Friday night, a Mets’ 6-3 loss to the Cubs. If this is a trial run for Valdespin — whose immaturity and showboating has vexed teammates and foes alike — it is off to an inauspicious start.

“That’s no pressure. You play hard, and if you have one bad day, you get it tomorrow. Just keep working and keep your head up,’’ said Valdespin, who went 0-for-3. “My swing is a little bit off because I didn’t play too much, but it’s coming. I work hard every day and it’s coming. A couple more at bats and we’ll see.’’

After Davis was sent to Triple-A, the Mets reshuffled their infield to get Valdespin’s bat in the lineup. After no playing for five of the previous nine games, he has started four straight at second base.

“He’s going to get some playing time. …. When we sent Ike down we made the decision we’ve got to see what [Valdespin has] got,’’ said manager Terry Collins, whose team is in the midst of facing six straight righties. “We’ve got to make an intelligent decision on his progress and whether or not he’s an everyday player.’’

Valdespin is 2-for-15 without an RBI or run scored since being put in the lineup, hitless in his last 13 at bats. And he’s ruffled feathers with his immaturity before and after games and his showboating during them.

“I’m never afraid. I just come here and play ball. I had a bad situation before, so I just keep doing my job, working hard in the cage, take grounders every day and get better,’’ said Valdespin, 25.

“You use some of these teaching moments to get him better,’’ Collins said. “That’s not a criticism to Jordany, by any stretch. It’s about getting the guy better, to be more professional about how he goes about things at this level if he’s going to be an everyday player.’’