METS ACTIVATE WRIGHT FOR FINAL HOMESTAND OF SEASON

NEWYORK(AP) » Hanging on a hook in David Wright’s locker, above the baseball spikes and opposite the helmets of his favorite football teams, the New York Giants and Virginia Tech Hokies, was a blue and orange Mets cap and white jersey with pinstripes.

No. 5 as always, with his name across the back.

And for the first time in nearly 2½ years, Wright was ready to grant himself the privilege of putting it on.

“When I’m hurt, I never put my uniform on. I wear a hoodie or something like that,” he said. “So to put that thing on again means the world to me, and is something that you tend to take for granted.”

After countless hours of rehab during an arduous comeback, Wright was reinstated from the disabled list Tuesday and added to New York’s active roster for the first time since June 3, 2016. Following a long road back from several serious injuries, the 35-yearold team captain was eligible off the bench against NL East champion Atlanta.

“To say it’s a good feeling is an understatement. It’s been a long time coming and I can’t wait to put that jersey on tonight, for sure,” Wright said. “A lot of time, a lot of hard work.”

Wright didn’t play in a 7-3 loss, but he’s scheduled to start at third base in his farewell game Saturday night against Miami.

“I’m real nervous, I’ll tell

you that. I’m real excited. Got the butterflies going. It’s going to be a weird, yet fulfilling feeling,” he said. “I want to put on as good a show as I possibly can — and at the same time soak it all in.”

Mets manager Mickey Callaway confirmed longtime teammate and friend Jose Reyes will start alongside Wright at shortstop on Saturday.

“I’m going to try to allow myself to get in the moment,” Wright said. “I’ll take it all in while I’m out there as much as I can.”

Assistant general manager John Ricco said it was unlikely Wright would play during the three-game series against the Braves because they’re trying to earn home-field advantage in the Division Series, and the Mets don’t want to compromise the integrity of the pennant race.

It’s possible Wright could pinch-hit in a lopsided game, though.

Heavy rain fell much of Tuesday, and the series opener began in front of a sparse crowd following a 32-minute delay.

Wright and Callaway have both expressed a desire to get the seventime All- Star a plate appearance or two ahead of Saturday. So it seems Friday night against the last-place Marlins is most likely.

“I hope to go out there and do something that doesn’t embarrass me, but it’s going to be difficult, not having an at-bat for a while,” Wright said.

BILL KOSTROUN - THE ASSOCIATED PRESS New York Mets’ David Wright watches from the dugout during the seventh inning of the team’s baseball game against the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2018, in New York.

ANDREW HARNIK - THE ASSOCIATED PRESS New York Mets’ David Wright walks through the dugout during a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park, Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018, in Washington. Wright has not played for the Mets since May 2016because of neck, back and shoulder injuries.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS New York Mets’ David Wright talks with Jose Reyes, left, during the seventh inning of the team’s baseball game against the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2018, in New York.