New York Mets News: David Wright’s Return Date Set?
The New York Mets will likely soon get third baseman David Wright back from the spinal stenosis injury he suffered in April. Although the original plans for a return this weekend were scrapped, he is expected to rejoin the team next week, according to Adam Rubin of ESPN New York.
Mets are eyeing Philly next week for David Wright’s return. Probably will remain with St. Lucie for duration of rehab. #mets
— Adam Rubin (@AdamRubinESPN) August 17, 2015
Wright, 32, began his rehab assignment last week with Class-A St. Lucie. If all went according to plan, the Mets’ team captain would hopefully be back with the major league club in about two weeks. However, several rain outs caused Wright to miss several reps both at the plate and in the field.
Therefore, the plan was for Wright to return for this weekend’s series in Colorado to face the Rockies, according to the New York Daily News. But those plans were pushed back so Wright can get several more plate appearances and make sure his injured back can sustain playing third base.
As noted by Rubin, Wright batting.267 (4-for-15) with five walks during his rehab stint. In addition, he has committed three errors in four games as a third baseman. In eight games before the injury, Wright hit.333 with one HR and four RBI.
Getting Wright back would be a huge boost for the revamped Mets’ lineup. Recent acquisitions Kelly Johnson and Juan Uribe have not held their own at the plate, while sharing a lot of the playing time at third base. Getting back their highest paid player and one of the best hitters in franchise history would be a tremendous boost.
In 17 games since joining the Mets’, Johnson is batting just.179 with two HR and 5 RBI. As for Uribe, he’s hitting.169 with four HR and nine RBI in 19 games.
Once Wright returns, both Johnson and Uribe will likely shift into utility roles around the diamond. Johnson can play every position except for catcher and pitcher. Uribe has experience at shortstop and second base, as well. Also, if Wright can hit to level printed on the back of his baseball card, the team will be in good shape down the stretch.
With their captain in the lineup, the Mets’ lineup would read something along these lines.
- Curtis Granderson RF
- Daniel Murphy 2B
- David Wright 3B
- Yoenis Cespedes CF
- Lucas Duda 1B
- Wilmer Flores SS
- Michael Cuddyer/ Michael Conforto LF
- Travis d’Arnaud C
- Pitcher
With that lineup and their star-studded rotation of young phenom’s, the Washington Nationals, who currently trail the Mets by 4.5 games in the National League East, would face an uphill climb to meet the Mets in first place.
[Image by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images]
