11:04am: The news on Wright is considerably worse than the prior four-to-six week barometer, as the Mets have announced that he’ll rest for six to eight weeks without any form of baseball activity. Following such a lengthy layoff, he’ll of course need to embark on a minor league rehab assignment, which would mean that an absence of more than two months is certainly in play. Wright has been placed on the 15-day disabled list, with Matt Reynolds recalled from Triple-A to fill his roster spot.
JUNE 3, 7:44am: Wright will be out for at least four to six weeks, tweets Rosenthal.
JUNE 2, 9:43pm: Wright will not undergo surgery on his neck, at least “in the short term,” but it remains an option in the future, according to Rubin (via Twitter).
8:11pm: Mets third baseman David Wright is expected to miss an “extended period” with his recently-diagnosed neck ailment, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (via Twitter). It appears that the club will call up Matt Reynolds to take his roster spot, per Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com (via Twitter).
Wright had received a cortisone shot in hopes of avoiding a DL stint for a herniated disk, but that evidently did not resolve the issue. It remains to be seen whether surgery will be required. The veteran was already attempting to play through a significant back condition that required constant care and preparation. Today’s news raises renewed concerns for a club that’s already dealing with the absence of first baseman Lucas Duda (who has been replaced for the time being with James Loney).
The 33-year-old Wright had been a sturdy contributor out of the gates this year, even if he is no longer able to match his prime-level production. Over 164 plate appearances, he’s carrying a .226/.350/.438 bating line and has swatted seven long balls. On the other hand, defensive metrics have not been kind to the one-time star.
Wright’s health was always a major question for New York, and it seems that some of the worst fears could be coming to fruition. The club does have some depth built around him, starting with Wilmer Flores and extending into a minor league system with numerous infielders on the rise. But none of the team’s internal options have anything approaching Wright’s record of success in the majors.
Truth be told, the Mets had little choice but to roll the dice on Wright, who’s owed $20MM this year and another $67MM over the four seasons to come. Adding infielders Asdrubal Cabrera and Neil Walker helped boost the overall talent level in the infield, but losing both Wright and Duda will strain the organization’s resources.
PhilliesFan012
All I want is to see him healthy again, such a great player who can’t catch a break, I see retirement in his future sadly.
I also feel like I’m the future after his playing career he will be coaching, with a manager job also in his future.
Lance
he won’t officially retire until 2021, when his contract expires. the mets gambled and lost with wright, signing him to such a long contract.
bigjonliljon
But Wright sure won
chesteraarthur
He’ll literally never be “healthy again”
Ruben_Tomorrow 2
These days, I think the only think Wright can catch is a “break.” The guy is a walking bruise. Unfortunately, I think his career is nearing its end. It’s really too bad because he is a talented player, but he is not even half the player he is capable of being anymore.
ExileInLA 2
Well, he sold his soul to play in the World Series…
AgeeHarrelsonJones
what!!
ExileInLA 2
Damn Yankees…look it up.
thunder12k
Mets gotta make a move…and soon. Trevor Plouffe or Danny Valencia. Make is happen Sandy
Gogerty
Plouffe was just mentioned as a trade candidate with Sano coming back.
ThorsHammer34
I’m really sad for David Wright the person as I’ve watched him continuously land on the DL the last few years. He’s the ultimate class act and a true captain. My hopes for him to finish his last four years with some impact, and that he wins a World Championship, are less motivated by my Met fandom and more for what I think about David Wright. When his #5 is hanging out in left field on day, I hope he is not remembered as the guy who was unproductive the last quarter of his career, and instead as the best Met hitter of all time (cumulative career) and an everlasting Face of the Franchise.
bobhutt99
David Wright personifies class as an individual and a baseball player. Unfortunately it’s near impossible to come back from spinal stenosis and now an impinged disc which will require surgery. An injury settlement will take the Wilpon’s off the hook for the remaining $67 million. David we will miss you!
peteralt
Do we know whether the co tract is insured ? If so this should be the next step Mets take to make the case and get off hook and spend to replace next year
TheMichigan
Time for Eric Campbell to find him self and become the new David Wright
ExileInLA 2
Don’t even use Soup’s name in the same sentence…
ducksnort69
Evan Longoria would a good get, then if/when Wright comes back, Wright can move to 1st.
ducksnort69
<— would be a good get. Phone typing bad.
bobhutt99
Guys the David Wright we all know and love is never coming back. Do you remember how great Donnie “Baseball” Mattingly was before a bad back robbed him of his skills? If not for his back he’d be in the Hall Of Fame. Third and First Base are power production positions. Not only will he never have any power again his chronic back problem which can’t be cured, only managed, has sapped him of being a good defensive player. Even now before his latest injury he’s just a shell of his former self. So sad to see. All he has left is his classy name David Wright!
drmorales
Yulieski Gouriell is the name to watch for in my opinion. I am waiting to see where he goes when he is declared a free agent. Mets seem like the perfect landing spot.
Phillies2017
As a Phillies fan, David Wright is like Chase Utley is to the Mets, in that you love to hate him. But in the end, he made the golden years in Philly fun to watch as he made the games and the standings close
thunder12k
Except he isn’t a POS like Utley
TheMichigan
It was one slide
budman3 2
Trade Marcos Molina or Gabriel Ynoa to the A’s for Valencia.. Give up a decent prospect for a solid 3rd.baseman under control for the next two seasons.. Mets need a solid replacement with Wrights future question marks and is worth the 2 million he will be owed this year and likely the 5-6 million in arbitration next season..
thunder12k
Agree with this
A'sfaninUK
Total trash idea that is insanely unfair to the A’s. Valencia has an .890 OPS over his last 140 games and 520 AB – he’s an actual star player right now. Mets prospects are notoriously overrated and none of their current top 10 look even remotely promising – Dom Smith’s best comp is James Loney, no thanks. Their farm is particularly weak now Matz is up….not even sure Matz for Valenica straight up gets a “yes” from Beane seeing how weak his offense is.
arc89
A’s would never want Molina since they have 3 TJS on their team already. Ynoa and Nimmo would be the cost for Valencia if the A’s put him on the market. Right now they are only 4 games under .500 so I very much doubt they would trade their best hitter.
TJECK109
DL Wright seems a more fitting name. Shame cause he really embraced the Mets and the city and was one of those guys that really wanted to win a championship. Shame he can’t stay healthy.
sportsjunkie24
He could revive his career in the al if someone was willing to give him a chance
Yamsi12
Dude needs to just retire.
Lance
He’s owed close to $90m. He’s not going to retire.
mlbaseblogger
Such a class act and a real shame. Wright is certainly one of the best quality clubhouse guys in the league. He worked his tail off last year to come back for his team down the stretch despite his battle with Spinal Stenosis. Now this is just another big blow to Mr. Met, his teammates, and fans. He’s not the hitter he once was, Wright is still somewhat valuable on defense.
Hofjoemann
The article link to Matt Reynolds is to a pitcher, not an infielder, i.e., the wrong Matt Reynolds.
gwithers
I wanna cry