It has been a great Spring Training Camp for the New York Mets so far, with no real issues to speak of and lot’s of quiet confidence exuding from the clubhouse and on the field.
However, one thing that’s been noticeably absent since they started playing games three weeks ago, is the familiar presence of team captain David Wright patrolling the hot corner and anchoring the Mets infield.
But with just 16 days left until the season opener in Kansas City, that is all about to change on Friday night, when the Mets third baseman will finally make his Grapefruit League debut against the Washington Nationals.
According to MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo, the Mets are planning to start Wright at third base and receive two or three at-bats against the NL East rivals. Wright is raring to go and the team is confident that the timing is right.
“I feel like I’m ready,” Wright said on Thursday. “So far it’s been so good, but that’s without playing in any games. I feel like I’ve come up with a decent pregame routine that allows me to be somewhat fresh for the game, but also allows me to get prepared with my back and my body, to make sure that I give myself every opportunity to stay as pain-free and as healthy as possible.”
The plan all along was for Wright to take it slow this spring as he works a full camp while dealing with spinal stenosis, which requires extra time stretching and preparing for games. One of the main things Wright and Collins have discussed this month is about not over-exerting during spring games.
General manager Sandy Alderson has been very emphatic that the Mets intend to be very cautious with Wright this season in terms of playing time.
“We’re going to make sure that he’s not overworked,” Alderson said. “So it’s important for us to find somebody who can play 30 games or so at third base when he’s not in there.”
“I think we have to be realistic, and not expect that he’s gonna be an absolute everyday [player] out there playing 150 or 155 games. That’s not gonna happen.”
The goal for Wright, said Alderson, is 130 games or so. Wilmer Flores has logged the most games at third base this Spring and seems to be Plan A as Wright’s replacement.
Wright, 33, was limited to just 38 games last season, but he batted a solid .289/.379/.434 with five home runs.
“Last year personally for me was a nightmare, having gone through the back thing and knowing this is going to be a challenge for the rest of my career, that sucked for me personally.”
The way the Mets have handled Wright this Spring is reminiscent of the same care, concern, and caution we saw with Matt Harvey last year, and we all know how that worked out. I’m confident that Number 5 will have himself a nice comeback season peppered with some memorable moments as he helps lead the team back to the postseason.
