AMAZIN'LY CLOSE
Wright vows to prove to docs he can play in bigs
SAN FRANCISCO — David Wright is back working out with the Mets, but he remains in limbo as he awaits clearance to rejoin the major league roster.
The Mets captain, whose minor league rehab assignment ended after 12 games spanning 19 days, took grounders Friday at AT&T Park and later met with team officials who spelled out improvements they want to see from Wright before he can end his two-year-plus stint on the disabled list.
In a bizarre twist, Wright revealed that even though he was cleared medically to play minor league games, he still needs permission from team doctors to play at the major league level.
It could be leading toward a scuffle between the former All-Star third baseman and the team over his potential reinstatement to the active roster.
For now, at least, the 35year-old Wright appears content not to force the matter, but the deeper the Mets work into September without his return, the more tensions could increase.
Once Wright is removed from the DL, the Mets will be responsible for covering his entire salary. As it stands, the Mets are recouping 75 percent of the $20 million Wright is earning this season through insurance.
“They have never once brought [the insurance] up to me,” Wright said, referring to the front office. “They didn’t bring it up today and I never brought it up to them so I don’t know. That is certainly above what I am thinking right now. I am thinking baseball. I’m not thinking the reasons why or why not.
“I have been told I need to do certain things to become activated and I’m willing to do that. I’m going to reach those things for sure.”
Wright said he needs to show improvement with his throwing and perhaps push harder baserunning before he is activated. But without games in which to play, the challenge could be showing anything to team officials.
“I certainly don’t want to go out there, a ball I should be able to get to I don’t and Jacob deGrom gets charged for an earned run or something like that,” Wright said. “So part of that is I want to make sure I am caught up to speed as much as I can and the team wants to see that also.”
Of course, deGrom, who is contending for the NL Cy Young award, does not pitch every day and the Mets haven’t been in a pennant race since June. The Mets also would have the option of using Wright strictly in a pinch-hitting role if they were uncomfortable with his defense. Such is the luxury of ex- panded rosters on a team playing for next season.
Wright last appeared in a major league game on May 27, 2016. He has since undergone three surgeries and continues to manage spinal stenosis in his back.
“We had a great conversation today and I think they truly want me to get to the point where I can play,” said Wright, who met with manager Mickey Callaway and special assistants Omar Minaya and J.P. Ricciardi.
“It’s just now up to me to prove that I can do it, so the challenge has been accepted and I am going to do everything I can to get that clearance and do everything I can to put that big league uniform on, because I have come way too far with the work to give it a ‘poor me now.’
“I set a goal. I certainly have been challenged and I want to attain that goal and I want to beat that challenge.”