Third baseman David Wright is heading to California to see Dr. Robert Watkins, the back specialist he worked with last summer, Terry Collins told reporters. Wright will meet with him on Monday, but it’s not clear if this is just a routine checkup on his spinal stenosis condition or if it’s related to the herniated discs in his neck or both.
Earlier today, the Mets announced that Wright was prohibited from doing any baseball activities for 6-8 weeks. He will undergo weekly physiotherapy on his neck in the meantime. After 8 weeks, Wright will be reexamined by team doctors who will make the decision whether he is cleared to begin baseball activities. He is expected to be out until late August.
Team sources are telling beat writers that the Mets are expected to cast a wide net for a third baseman from outside the organization, and probably will be more aggressive in pursuing a bat than last season. But for now, trades are not happening this early and the Mets are not talking with any teams yet.
Wilmer Flores will get a full shot to replace Wright at third base and the Mets are hoping he pays off for them.
Meanwhile, we received an update on Zack Wheeler today where he met with the team in Miami. Terry Collins said that the target date for Wheeler to return has been pushed back from July 1 to sometime after the All Star break.
Wheeler continues to rehab down at the mets complex in Port St. Lucie as he continues his comeback from the Tommy John surgery that wiped out his 2015 season.
Finally, catcher Travis d’Arnaud may finally be nearing a rehab assignment according to the Mets manager who disputed a report that he was close three days ago. D’Arnaud served as the designated hitter today in a simulated game in Port St. Lucie. No timetable yet, but it’s a good sign that he’s swinging a bat. The sooner he gets back, the sooner he can go on the DL again. #ducks
That’s all I’ve got for you…
