Jerry Manuel is sitting rookie first baseman Ike Davis against left-hander Cole Hamels on Friday, and instead starting Mike Hessman at first base. Davis also sat Wednesday, when the Mets faced Rockies left-hander Jeff Francis.

So is Davis being platooned?

No, according to Manuel.

Instead, the manager said, Davis needs is best served being liberally rested in his first full major league season to avoid being overwhelmed by the workload.

Manuel agreed that Davis is going to be an everyday first baseman in his career. And when it was noted that he'd be best served facing southpaws now to prepare, Manuel didn't dismiss the point, but suggested strategic rest is now more important.

Davis actually is hitting higher against southpaws (.273 in 88 at-bats) than right-handed pitching (.244 in 275 at-bats) during his brief major league career.

"As long as the season is for a young player like Ike, I think if you can give him a break here and there, then you get the most out of him," Manuel said. "You're exactly right. There's a time where here he'll be the first baseman regardless of who pitches and you'll find a day here or there to give him a day off. But right now, for us, for me at least, with this season being what it is and seeing what he can do, I think the fresher I keep him the better he'll be for the rest of the season."