Mets fans to get first look at Davis Monday night?

ST. LOUIS - The Mets have yet to make an official announcement, but all the signs point toward Ike Davis making his major-league debut as early as Monday night against the Cubs at Citi Field. The team chose to designate Mike Jacobs for assignment Sunday, even though he could be optioned straight to Triple-A Buffalo, a move that suggested the Mets need the 40-man roster spot for Davis.

Additionally, Davis was pulled from yesterday's game against Scranton for a pinch runner in the 10th inning, and it appears as though Daniel Murphy still is a long way from coming off the disabled list. Jerry Manuel said Murphy is taking "dry swings" in Port St. Lucie and could be out a while.

The Mets are in desperate need of help at first base. Davis was batting .364 (12-for-33) with three doubles, two homers, four RBIs and a .500 on-base percentage through his first 10 games for the Bisons. "He's obviously seeing the ball well," said Tobi Stoner, who was 0-1 with a 4.32 ERA before being called up Sunday from Buffalo for pitching help. "He's got a great swing with a lot of pop behind it . . . He's a big guy, but he's great on his feet . . . He's on a tear right now."

The Mets just have to make sure their weary pitching staff can be trimmed to 12, and when that happens, Davis will be here.

Said Manuel, "I think if we can get by tonight, and feel like we're OK tomorrow, then we'll bring in a position player of some sort."

Extra bases

Manuel gave his strongest endorsement yet that Ryota Igarashi will be his setup guy: "I can see him taking that eighth inning right now." . . . The Hall of Fame took one of Jose Reyes' bats from the 20-inning game.