New York Mets: Now that Robinson Cano is back in, who comes out?

What happens to Davis, Smith, and Hecavarria now that Cano has returned?

First of all, Hechavarria returns to the bench. He will primarily be a late inning defensive replacement for Cano. In addition, the 30-year-old journeyman will make occasional starts when Callaway wants to give his middle infielders a day off as he did on Sunday with shortstop Amed Rosario.

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McNeil is too good of a hitter (.333 batting average) to pull out of the lineup, so he’ll go back to left. Third baseman Todd Frazier has rebounded from his early-season oblique injury and subsequent slump to hit .299 since May 7. Therefore, Davis isn’t headed back to the hot corner either.

It’s clear Pete Alonso is the New York Mets first baseman. The rookie has exploded on to the scene and leads the New York Mets with 23 home runs in 2019. That leaves Smith to an occasional start when Alonso gets a day off, despite the latter’s outstanding production at the plate this season.

Playing time for Smith and Davis may come at the expense of center fielder Juan Lagares, who has replaced the injured Brandon Nimmo in the lineup. Lagares is an excellent defensive player, but his .199 batting average is cause for concern.

Should Callaway choose to take the risk, he could sacrifice Lagares’ defense in center and move either McNeil or right fielder Michael Conforto into his spot. That would open up an opportunity for a lefty/righty, Smith/Davis platoon to play regularly.

At three games under .500 in mid-June, it’s time to take some chances.