NEW YORK – Mets first baseman Ike Davis likely has valley fever and will be given days off to avoid extreme fatigue, a symptom of the disease.
Davis took a physical when he arrived at spring training in Port St. Lucie, Fla., and the exam showed an abnormal chest X-ray. He was sent to New York for further tests and when he returned to camp, the Mets said Davis had a simple lung infection.
The team revealed a new diagnosis Saturday night after MLB.com reported Davis’ condition earlier in the day.
“Following additional tests here and in NYC, pulmonary and infectious disease specialists have concluded that Ike likely has valley fever, which is expected to resolve itself over time,” the Mets said in a statement.
Davis was expected to be available to reporters Sunday.
Valley fever is a fungal infection that is released from the dirt in desert regions of the Southwest and is inhaled. it can be stirred up by construction and winds. Davis lives in Arizona in the offseason.
“Ike is not contagious, is not taking any medication for his condition and does not currently exhibit any of the outward symptoms associated with valley fever,” the Mets said. “However, Ike has been instructed to avoid extreme fatigue. No additional tests or examinations are pending, but Ike will have a follow-up exam when the team returns to NYC in early April.”
Expected to bat cleanup this season, Davis had two hits in an intrasquad game Saturday.
Valley fever can be a serious problem — it caused Conor Jackson to miss all but the first 30 games of the 2009 season with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Greg Kraft had his promising golf career sidetracked after he contracted the disease during the 2002 Tucson Open.
After a promising rookie season, Davis missed most of 2011 with a bone bruise in his left ankle, sustained in a routine-looking collision with David Wright on May 10 in Colorado. Davis has shown no effects of the injury this spring.
Davis batted .302 with seven homers and 25 RBIs in 36 games last season after hitting .264 with 19 home runs and 71 RBIs in 2010.
The loss of Davis for any length of time would be a serious blow to the Mets after All-Star shortstop Jose Reyes signed as a free agent with the Miami Marlins this winter. New York has slashed its payroll after going 77-85 last season.