Mets’ Wright to return, then probably retire
New York Mets captain David Wright will return for the team’s final homestand, making what probably will be his last appearance as a big-leaguer.
The Mets said that they plan to activate Wright when they return to Citi Field on Sept. 25 against Atlanta. The 35-year-old is scheduled to start at third base on the second-to-last day of the regular season against Miami.
It would be his first major-league game since May 2016. Wright has worked to return from a litany of neck, back and shoulder injuries that have required surgery.
Although not officially retiring, Wright is not expected to play again after this season.
“The way I feel right now, and from everything the doctors have told me, there’s not going to be an improvement,” Wright said when asked if he could play beyond 2018. “So, yeah, I don’t see that as a possibility.”
Mets chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon and Senior VP of baseball operations John Ricco joined Wright for an emotional news conference prior to the club’s doubleheader against the Marlins to make the announcement, ending speculation on whether or not the seventime All-Star would return.
“David Wright is a Mets icon, one of the finest players and people ever to wear the uniform, Mets uniform or any uniform, and clearly our fan favorite,” Wilpon said.
“Despite more than two years of hard work, three surgeries and a rehab assignment, his body’s still preventing him from making it back. I’ve had many conversations with David and he’s told me that he wants to end this year on our active roster.”
Wright’s contract includes salaries of $20 million this year, $15 million next season and $12 million in 2020. By reinstating him from the disabled list, it likely would lessen the amount of insurance money the Mets could collect. M’s pitchers out: Seattle’s James Paxton and Felix Hernandez will not make their scheduled starts this weekend against the Angels. Paxton, who was slated to go Friday, is dealing with pneumonia. Hernandez left Saturday’s game against the Yankees with hamstring tightness. Briefly: Baltimore right-hander Andrew Cashner had an MRI exam on his left knee. Manager Buck Showalter said no structural damage was found, but the pitcher got a cortisone shot and could miss a start . ... Arizona left-hander T.J. McFarland was sent back to Phoenix to have an MRI exam on his sore elbow. Manager Torey Lovullo said McFarland’s elbow soreness flared up Sunday but has been feeling better. If McFarland checks out, Lovullo said he would join the team in Houston . ... The Dodgers announced that right-hander Ross Stripling will move back into the rotation for Sunday’s game, moving left-hander HyunJin Ryu back to Monday and left-hander Alex Wood to the bullpen . ... Boston third baseman Eduardo Nuñez left Thursday’s game against Toronto with soreness in his right knee after he tripped and stumbled over first base while running out a fielder’s choice.