Wright, 33, has not played in a full season since his 134-game campaign in 2014. Parnell had to eventually undergo surgery back in September 2013 to fix the problem. With spinal stenosis in his lower back, Wright was forced to miss almost four months of baseball, and now he might just have a more serious injury.
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“This guy has been a special player in baseball”, Collins said Tuesday, when the seriousness of the neck issue became apparent. Like Collins said, Wright is fading – fading right before our eyes. “After the rest period, David will resume baseball activity”.
Wilmer Flores is expected to assume the full-time duties at third base in Wright’s absence, and Matt Reynolds has been recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas to fill the roster spot.
Wright will be out for a significant length of time. Walker started 13 games at third base with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2009 and 2010.
This might explain why the team is only 29-23 at this point in the year. He was heading to California Friday to see back specialist Dr. Robert Watkins, who helped him get back on the field last season after being diagnosed with spinal stenosis.
Wright was chosen by the Mets in the 2001 amateur draft during the supplemental round as compensation for the Mets’ loss of Mike Hampton to the Colorado Rockies in free agency. But it’s hard to watch what he’s going through … as good as he was. Appearing in just 37 games to start the 2016 regular season, he only managed to play roughly two out of every three games due to the original back trouble.
Alderson more than likely will have to reassess that plan and look at the possibility of his star third baseman not returning for the remainder of the season.
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In effect, he’s brought the same punch to the lineup in the first two months of this season that he provided for the Mets stretch drive past year. “He’s still special. He’s still a great player”.
