Mets Captain and 3rd baseman David Wright was eligible to come off the DL on Thursday, but will be out until next Friday at the earliest.
The team insisted it’s not because of any setbacks but because they want to be very careful with him, making sure that he doesn’t rush back.
Wright is still rehabbing in Port St Lucie, but did not participate in workouts on Thursday and still has not run the bases since beginning baseball activities earlier this week, according to Mets GM Sandy Alderson.
There was some talk from manager Terry Collins that Wright could come back this weekend, but that won’t be the case.
“David was I think hopeful he could push the envelope a little bit,” said Alderson. “But he’s right on schedule, he certainly hasn’t had a setback.”
Alderson told reporters that the Mets usually like to have players, who have hamstring injuries, rehab for at least 3 weeks before rejoining the team. That would put Wright’s return at next Friday in Philadelphia.
Eric Campbell took over the 3rd baseman duties in place of Wright and while he enjoyed a good start during the Mets 11 game winning streak, he has since struggled during the road trip, going 4 for 21(.190).
“When you lose big guys, sooner or later you need to get them back,” said manager Terry Collins.
“A lot of it has to do with the scouts. There is a reason David Wright is a star. We’re asking Eric Campbell to step into some big shoes, and all he can do is what he does best, and he’s done that. But through the long haul you need good players out there, for the most part.”
Prior to the hamstring injury, Wright was batting .333 with a homer and 4 RBIs in 8 games.
Collins mentioned that the most important thing is to make sure that Wright is ready physically when he rejoins the team.
“I don’t care what the doctors say the degree of a hamstring injury is: A hamstring is a hamstring,” said Collins. “And when you play the game with your legs, which we do in the sport, there is a process involved, and nobody can give you a timetable or exact date until those legs are ready.”
The Mets have called up infielder Dilson Herrera from Triple-A Las Vegas and Alderson said he will play every day until Wright returns, sending Campbell back to his customary bench role.
Even though the Mets have lost three straight and five of their last seven, the Mets will remain very cautious with Wright and he won’t be rushed back until he is fully ready physically.
