New York Mets Rumors: David Wright Hits Major Snag In Recovery, Could Be Leaning Toward Retirement

The New York Mets are rumored to be losing their longest-tenured player, with reports that David Wright is leaning toward retirement after hitting another setback in his comeback attempt.

Wright has only played 75 games over the course of the last two full seasons while battling a string of serious conditions including spinal stenosis. The Mets had hoped he would be able to return at some point during this season, but that possibility now looks more remote than ever as he suffered another in a long line of snags.

This week, the Mets were forced to shut down Wright’s throwing program indefinitely, Fansided reported. While Wright is continuing his rehab program, the fact that he is unable to make throws casts serious doubt on whether he will be able to play again this season — or at all.

“The Mets have shut down Wright’s throwing program yet again, and it is unknown as to when he will resume throwing,” the report noted. “As it stands, the only thing that appears to be certain is that it will not happen in the near future, as Wright’s season may well be in jeopardy.”

The setback makes it unlikely that Wright will play this year, and it seems unlikely he would be able to be an everyday player even if he could return again.

There are now reports that Wright is starting to consider ending his career.

Word from Mets sources is David Wright sadly recognizes his career is over #Mets

— Daniel Wexler (@WexlerRules) May 21, 2017

While the Mets have struggled to replace Wright’s production on the field, they are also missing is his presence in the clubhouse. The team’s longest-tenured player, Wright played an important role in keeping the team together and was seen as the key leader off the field.

Wright has been across the country in his rehab efforts, far from Queens and far from the team struggling under once-high expectations. The Mets fell to six games below.500 over the weekend, stumbling when they had been seen as one of the top contenders to win the World Series coming into the season.

As NJ.com noted, Wright’s presence is especially missed during the team’s struggles.

“The Mets are in the middle of some trying times, and despite the glaring hole at third base that they haven’t quite been able to fill, they also haven’t quite filled that hole in the clubhouse. Wright is around when the team is in Queens, but it’s just… different.”

“Somewhere in between Noah Syndergaard’s MRI debacle and Matt Harvey’s infamous night out, a few people in the Mets organization privately expressed their opinions about the situation: The longtime leader of the clubhouse is greatly missed.”

Mets manager Terry Collins said the team has done their best to stay positive through their slump.

“When you’re going through tough times, they don’t get down,” Collins said. “They stay positive and they’re here to do some things right and they push each other to do it.”

But without the calming force that Wright had been in the clubhouse, it may be even harder to come back from their slump.

David Wright Suffers Another Setback https://t.co/nDN1avpLDz pic.twitter.com/mUUdCjMHFg

— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) May 21, 2017

The mounting injuries for the team also make it harder and harder to stay positive. The Mets are dealing with injuries to Noah Syndergaard and Yoenis Cespedes along with season-long struggles for veterans Jose Reyes and Curtis Granderson.

If the rumors are true, there could be a silver lining for the New York Mets. Even with the loss of David Wright in the field and in the clubhouse, they could earn a bit of salary savings. If Wright is unable to return by the 60-game mark, the Mets will recoup 75 percent of his salary through an insurance policy.

[Featured Image by Elsa/Getty Images]