21 Lucas Duda, LF

Mets outfielder Lucas Duda is getting the start at first base Monday against the Braves.

Daniel Murphy was being used as the team's primary first baseman with Ike Davis in the minors, but Duda will take over Monday. The move could become permanent until Davis returns. The team had initially resisted using Duda at first, but it makes sense from a defensive standpoint. 

Duda is hitting .226/.337/.439 in 212 at-bats. 

After refusing to move Lucas Duda to first base following Ike Davis' demotion to the minors, Mets manager Terry Collins changed course Saturday. He said Duda could become an option at first base, if Davis remains in the minors and Jordany Valdespin doesn't start to hit.

Valdespin has taken over at second base as Daniel Murphy has moved to first base. But Collins could move Murphy back to second base and use Duda and Justin Turner at first base.

"Whatever they need me to do, I’m ready to do," Duda said, per the New York Post.

Mets manager Terry Collins chose to hold outfielder Lucas Duda out of the lineup Sunday against the Marlins a day he played all 20 innings in a 2-1 extra-inning loss. Collins said Duda did not suffer a setback with his recent quadriceps injury, but he doesn't want to risk it.

Duda is batting .263 (21 for 80) with two home runs, six doubles and seven RBI in his last 20 games.

Mets outfielder Lucas Duda ended up missing no games due to a quadriceps injury, as his scheduled off day Thursday was rained out, as was Friday's game. Duda was back in the lineup Saturday against the Marlins in a 20-inning marathon.

Duda went just 1 for 7 in the game, through he did reach base two additional times via walk, in a 2-1 loss. Duda struck out four times in the game, giving him nine in just 24 at-bats in the month of June. 

The Mets got back the services of outfielder Lucas Duda Saturday against the Marlins. Duda returned to the lineup following a quadriceps injury. 

Duda enters Saturday's game hitting well over his last 19 contests. He's gone 20 for 73 (.274) over that span with two homers, six doubles and seven RBI.