TIME NOT WRIGHT
CINCINNATI — David Wright is hurting and unsure about his next step, but appears intent on trying to resume his Mets career at some point.
The Mets captain, according to a source with knowledge of Wright’s thinking, is not considering retirement, following the termination of his rehab assignment this week because of shoulder pain. But Wright’s road back to the Mets might as well span the length of I-95 from Port St. Lucie to New York.
Wright is scheduled to be examined in New York this week, after a rehab assignment that lasted only two games at third base (and another at DH), and then decide on a course of action.
In speaking with Wright last week, manager Terry Collins was left with the impression the third baseman was in discomfort even before playing his rehab games. The 34-yearold Wright has been sidelined since spring training with a shoulder impingement that has affected his throwing, but also manages spinal stenosis in his back on a daily basis. He last appeared in a major league game in May 2016 — a season in which Wright underwent surgery for a herniated disk in his neck.
Wright has three years and $47 million remaining on his contract after this season, no small factor in his desire not to retire.
But with much of the contract insured, the Mets could also try to get Wright declared medically unable to continue, a step that likely would not be taken without the player’s blessing.
“I wish all the best for him and whatever decision he needs to make I am going to be behind him 100 percent,” Jose Reyes said before the Mets’ 14-4 loss to the Reds on Tuesday. “If he wants to continue to play, I am going to be here supporting him and whatever he decides to do. But at the same time he needs to decide about his future and does he want to continue to try and try?
“I will be behind him, because he is still young and you have to be very strong in your mind to continue to have a lot of setbacks and be still hungry to come back. As a baseball player you appreciate that, coming from D. Wright.”
The Mets, to some degree, were banking on Wright returning this season and didn’t seriously pursue other third-base options last winter. But it’s now clear to club officials that Wright can’t be counted upon heading toward 2018.
Through rest and rehab, Wright returned from his spinal stenosis in 2015 to contribute over the final month-plus of the regular season and postseason. But Wright has incurred roadblocks since spring training in his latest comeback attempt.
“I sensed the disappointment last week when I talked to him about his shoulder, how it was bothering him,” Collins said. “He’s real frustrated in that he did everything that everybody had wanted as far as the rehab and all the exercises and everything else and wasn’t bouncing back.”
Reyes, who formed the core of the Mets’ infield with Wright for several seasons, said he is disappointed he hasn’t gotten to play even one regular-season game with his friend since returning to the Mets last summer.
“When I signed here, I was very excited about [the possibility],” Reyes said. “At least we can start one game together again, he at third base and me at shortstop, but at this point it has been kind of hard for that to happen.”