Wright cleared to finally return to field

DENVER — David Wright is giving 2017 one last shot.

The Mets captain, who has been sidelined since spring training with a right shoulder impingement that has prevented him from throwing, reported to Port St. Lucie earlier this week to begin lowlevel baseball activity, according to assistant general manager John Ricco.

“It’s a good sign and we’ll see how his body responds as he starts to build up,” Ricco said before the Mets faced the Rockies at Coors Field on Wednesday.

Wright most significantly is playing catch, taking grounders and hitting from a tee. But Ricco indicated it’s too early to predict if the 34-year-old third baseman can get his body in shape to play for the Mets in September.

“I don’t think we’re looking at it that way, it’s been so long,” Ricco said when asked if there is still enough time for Wright this season. “But I think we’re going to take it more a day at a time and see how his body responds.”

Wright underwent surgery to repair a herniated disk in his neck in June 2016 and hasn’t played in a regular season game since. He saw limited action at DH in the Grapefruit League this year before tests revealed the impingement in his shoulder.

Even as he attempts to overcome the throwing issue, Wright is battling spinal stenosis in his back, an ailment that cost him most of the 2015 season. Just to get on the field, Wright needs about two hours of stretching exercises.

Wright had last attempted to begin a throwing program in May.

“It’s been a while,” Ricco said. “He’s been out in California for quite some time and is just getting himself back into shape. He just got to Florida [on Tuesday] and we’ll see how it goes. I don’t think we’re looking too far ahead, just see how it goes over these next few days and weeks.”

After this season Wright will still have three years remaining on the $138 million contract he signed in December 2012.

Jeurys Familia, who is rehabbing from surgery to remove a blood clot in his right shoulder, threw from a mound for the first time in his recovery, according to Ricco. The Mets are hopeful Familia will return at some point this month. … Josh Edgin, who was designated for assignment last weekend, cleared waivers and accepted an assignment to Triple-A Las Vegas.