Mets may have to start season without Wright
Sore shoulder means 3B can’t throw for 2 weeks.
New York Mets captain David Wright has been diagnosed with impingement in his right shoulder and was told not to throw for two weeks.
The team said the third baseman left spring training in Florida for New York, where he was examined Tuesday at the Hospital for Special Surgery after feeling discomfort. He will be re-evaluated after the two weeks, and could be a designated hitter then in spring training games.
“He’s having real trouble getting his arm extended on the throws,” manager Terry Collins said. “He just said, ‘Look, I’ve got to do something to get rid of the pain.’ It’s certainly going to be difficult to say he’s going to be ready opening day.”
Newsday reported the Mets intend to have Jose Reyes ramp up his work at third base.
Wright has four years and $67 million remaining on his deal.
The seven-time All-Star, 34, has been limited to 75 regular-season games during the past two seasons. Wright was on the disabled list from April 15 to Aug. 24, 2015, when he strained his right hamstring and then developed spinal stenosis. He returned and helped the Mets win their first NL pennant since 2000.
Last season, he was batting .226 with seven homers, 14 RBIs and 55 strikeouts in 137 at-bats through May 27 when he was sidelined by neck pain. He had season-ending surgery June 16 to repair a herniated disk.
Nationals: Reliever Joe Blanton reportedly agreed to a $4 million, one-year contract. Blanton, 36, was a free agent after pitching for the Dodgers in 2016, when the right-hander went 7-2 with a 2.48 ERA and 80 strikeouts in 80 innings.
Mariners: Felix Hernandez usually doesn’t make his spring debut until the second week of March. But with the World Baseball Classic looming and Hernandez joining the Venezuelan team Monday, there is a sense of urgency to get him ready sooner. Hernandez gave up one run and three hits in two innings during an 8-1 win over the White Sox. He threw 33 pitches, walked one and struck out none. “I feel real strong,” he said. “I feel real good. I feel healthy and I’m happy.” Hernandez is scheduled to make one more start Sunday against Oakland. Venezuela’s first game is March 10.
Cardinals: Starter Mike Leake was perfect through three innings with three strikeouts on just 32 pitches in Tuesday’s 2-0 loss to the Braves.
Yankees: Opening day starter Masahiro Tanaka’s first pitch of spring training Tuesday sailed over the head of Detroit leadoff hitter Ian Kinsler and went all the way to the backstop. Then the ace settled in. Tanaka struck out two over two hitless innings in the Yankees’ split-squad 9-5 win. “I liked everything except the first pitch,” Tanaka said. “I’m not really sure (what happened).”
Rangers: Managing partner Ray Davis said Tuesday he is expecting big things this season from pitcher Yu Darvish. “He is healthy, in a good frame of mind and very strong,” Davis said. “I expect he is going to win the Cy Young award.”
Noteworthy: Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said pitchless intentional walks could start in spring training games this week. A team can signal for an intentional walk without pitches being thrown. The players’ association has said it would agree to the move for the 2017 season.