Mets Season Preview: What can we expect from David Wright this season?

5 of 9

Michael Lecolant, Staff Writer

With regards to David Wright, I have no expectations.

Here’s why …

David Wright exceeded 140 games played in each of his first six full seasons, but has accomplished the feat just once since 2011 due to numerous injuries incurred throughout the ensuing years.

More from New York Mets News

Wright’s physical misfortunes started back in May 2011, when he sustained a stress fracture in his lower back limiting him to 102 games played. David would bounce back in 2012 to post a fine offensive season over 156 games. But in August 2013, a right hamstring injury caused him to miss fifty games. The following season, a left rotator cuff injury caused him to miss another 28 games. In April 2015, David returned to the disabled list after again injuring his right hamstring. However, the truly discouraging news was yet to come. Shortly thereafter Wright was diagnosed with spinal stenosis and moved to the 60-day disabled list. He returned to action on Aug. 24, and played out the final 30 games of the season with mixed results.

Entering the 2016 season, pre-game preparation had now become a complicated matter for Wright. While he played in 37 of the Mets first 47 games through May 27, his physical abilities were noticeably compromised. Sure enough, fate dealt David yet another serious blow. By early June, he was back on the DL with a herniated disk in his neck. Within another two weeks, he was undergoing surgery.

Here we are – spring training 2017 – and David is now dealing with an impingement in his right shoulder. According to Sandy Alderson, the muscles around the shoulder had not “re-engaged” since the surgery (yeah, good luck with that…), and as a result Wright is presently prohibited from throwing a baseball.

Before anything, David Wright must first be re-evaluated, then cleared to throw again. He would obviously require an overly-extended spring training, then at some point begin a rehab assignment in the minors. All this makes his debut in Flushing this season quite indeterminable.

Even then, we must not forget his spinal stenosis is still an ongoing condition. If and when David is cleared to resume full baseball activities, and should he persevere in achieving an acceptable level of readiness, he must still undergo a lengthy pre-game regimen of therapy and exercise prior to each and every contest. Beyond that, his playing time will be strictly managed. Once on the field, his performance will ultimately speak for itself.

This is going to be a season of great introspection for David Wright. He turned 34-years old this winter, and is officially entering his seventh straight season compromised by injury. But because he is such a positive person, the added mental toll this must be exacting on him is indecipherable.

So, here’s where we are: David Wright thinks and wants one thing, but his body says another.

Expectations?

That he takes into consideration his marriage and quality of life after baseball, and makes a responsible decision with regards to his playing career.