The Mets announced on Thursday that third baseman David Wright underwent a back procedure known as a laminotomy (Mayo Clinic link detailing the surgery). The 34-year-old Wright also had shoulder surgery back in September, but he made clear today that he has no plans to retire despite his considerable injury woes in recent years.
“Through this entire rehab process, I have been driven to get back on the field as quickly as I can,” said Wright in a statement. “That’s why I had the shoulder surgery and that’s why today I underwent back surgery to reduce the risk of further issues going forward. With these two surgeries behind me, I hope to be able to put on a Mets uniform again as soon as possible. My desire to play is as strong as ever.”
It’s now been more than 16 months since Wright last suited up for a big league game, as his career has been slowed dramatically by a diagnosis of spinal stenosis and myriad neck, shoulder and back issues over the past several years. Wright at one point looked to be carving out a path to Cooperstown, but he’s now played just 75 games since the conclusion of the 2014 season.
For the Mets, Wright’s latest surgery changes little. General manager Sandy Alderson has already acknowledged that Wright’s “uncertain” status will have to be accounted for this winter, suggesting that the team will at the very least be on the hunt for an experienced depth option. Speculatively speaking, it certainly seems plausible that the team seeks to add a more established option — possibly one with some versatility that can play multiple spots on the diamond.
As for Wright, he’s still owed $47MM through the 2020 season as part of his eight-year, $138MM contract. As much of 75 percent of next year’s $20MM salary is insured, so the Mets will receive some financial compensation if he misses significant time once again in the 2018 campaign.
What else is new…
Here come the “give up your dream David” comments.
Hopefully he comes back healthy and ready to go! Wish him nothing but the best in recovery and look forward to it!
Hey if he can get a whole new body. Then keep playing!
I feel for him. He seems like a really good dude…
When does guys like this just say it’s time to go. I love David Wright, he was a good 3rd basemen when he was healthy. But all the injuries and surgeries he have to try either go to the American League to DH or call it an career. But it’s like a guy fielder didn’t “officially “ retire but chose not to but get paid while he’s hurt.
Brutal to read…by the way a doctor decided Fielders fate
Who cares, if he wants to keep trying, what’s it matter to you?
1) he is messing up the plans of his club, a club he may never play for again. People who root for, or even just wish well to that club would care
2) it’s just painful to watch onetime greats desperately trying to hang on despite clearly being unable. Who wants to watch suffering and inefficiency?
– 2b) Better to burn out than to fade away. Choosing to fade away in such a high profile way means this is how everyone will always remember him, and that too is painful.
Back off David.
The issue isn’t his bad health and bad luck.
The issue is bad management. It’s been four years since the Mets have gone into a season with a legitimate 3B.
If this was the only issue, it wouldn’t be the Mets. They have more problems all over the diamond and the pitching staff makes that seem like everything is rosey.
He’s probably sitting at home, watching Mets games on TV completely disgusted by what the team’s been putting out there at third base. If the Mets had a stud prospect there, I think he’d actually consider hanging up his spikes but they’ve been putting Flores, TJ Rivera, and Asdrubal Cabrera out there. Not the most impressive group.
Him and Tiger should be kickin it!
“Speculatively speaking, it certainly seems plausible that the team seeks to add a more established option — possibly one with some versatility”
Isn’t this exactly why they kept Cabrera at the break; to be that guy for them again next season?
Mets tried to trade Cabrera but couldn’t swing a deal for a disgruntled, over the hill shortstop. But keeping him may turn out to be the right thing knowing he plays a decent second and a strong third giving the Mets flexibility while providing reliable, complementary offense. as switch hitter.
Even if Wright returns, there’s real question whether he’ll even be able to competently play third. He may have to learn to play first or even second.
Keep paying him to sit on bench.
guys with back problems shouldn’t sit on benches.
Wright will stay on dl list and collect has giant contrat ,until his contracr expires . The Mets are probably insured so they don’t really care if he plays.
Gets paid whether or not he plays. Gotta admire his resiliency and desire to play when he could just sit back and collect fat paycheck.
He eats up a spot on the 40 man roster all offseason. He can only be put on the 60 day DL and removed from the 40 man roster on opening day. I am sure that has a huge effect on how they plan.
Insurance only covers at most 50% of his contract. 75% but only after the team pays for 60 days on the DL.
Never could understand the kind of animosity players like Wright (and Fielder) engender in some fans. He’s injured. He has a contract that entitles him to get paid–and his team has an insurance policy that gives them 75% of what they have to pay him, so the amount of monetary “suffering” the Mets incur is comparatively small. He’s put himself through multiple surgeries and tried all sorts of things to get back on the field. I’m not a Mets fan, not a Wright fan. But what more can you expect out of the guy? We blame players who are soft and don’t want to get back on the field. And we resent players who are genuinely hurt and do everything possible to play again.
My sentiments exactly. Give Wright a lot of credit for going through all of this.
max 50%, less if he plays
In related but unreported news, John Middleton, Andy MacPhail and Matt Klentak had a lobotomy this time last year which explains what has since transpired over the past twelve months.
Ha! Now that’s funny!
Wright must be mostly machine by this point. I admire his determination.
Go to the House Dude , It over !
Start a new Job like a Broadcaster or as Trump’s new Secretary of State !
The Mets have some corruption in the front office, so why don’t they pay some doctor to say Wright is medically “unable to play” like Tubs Fielder so they can move on, release him to free up a 40-man roster spot, and have insurance pay more of his contract?
“The Mets have some corruption in the front office, . . . ”
What are you saying here? Who, in particular, are you calling corrupt and how do you back up the accusation? The rest and remainder of your comment is incoherent. Cheers.
Why don’t the Mets make a deal with the insurance company like the rangers did with fielder?
Players union tells him to keep this up.
Wright’s contract is choking the Mets…
Not really. Insurance covers most of it and their payroll is still pretty low. Injuries to players like Syndergaard, Harvey, Matz, Céspedes, Conforto, and like a dozen additional players are what’s choking the Mets.
The Stenosis is a career ended, as I have had three surgeries for mine and still have problems just doing normal, everyday activities. Playing MLB? A pipe dream.
This whole website is all about who is on the 40 man roster, bottom line. The fact is that people respect or disrespect David Wright is all about him taking up a 40 man spot while he rehabs. The contract is what it is. That wont change. David’s desire is as strong as ever and you have to respect that. But bottom line again, the Mets go into the off-season with 39 available spots on the 40 man, because you are required to activate (at least on paper) all players on the 60 day disabled list, and that means David too. I Want all my players to have that desire to play. I want all my players to be as stand-up responsible as David. But I also want to keep as many good players as possible protected. All of that gets us where we are now. But the team might forfeit the insurance money if they waive him, and he would forfeit contract money if he retires. SAD situation.
Let’s face it. The Wilton’s’ thought they’d be making a profit by deferring contract cash into the future, and that is why the Mets are saddled with paying Bret Saberhagen until 2029, Darryl Strawberry until 2033, and Bobby Bonilla until 2035. Met fans aren’t going to see them take the field anytime soon.
Sorry, auto correct mistake: the WILPON’s. ( I wish auto-corrected it to the WILPONZI’s )
Plenty of teams defer contracts. Check out the Scherzer deal.
Moustakas
David Wright not undergoing surgery? Surprising.
What’s not surprising is how much Jose saved by switching to Geico