DENVER — David Wright, who last played for the New York Mets on April 14, will rejoin them Monday at Philadelphia and be in the starting lineup.
“I can honestly tell you I’m excited to have him back, because his presence on our team is big,” manager Terry Collins said. “… But the surroundings are a little bit different now than they were in the middle of April. Each and every game is huge. It means a lot, and we’ve got to play the game, and play it well.
“I told him the other day on the phone, I know he’ll adjust fast to the speed (of the game). He’s been here 10 years. He knows what it’s like.”
After originally being sidelined with a right hamstring strain, Wright was diagnosed with spinal stenosis, which is a narrowing of the spinal cavity in his lower back. Wright ended up with compressed nerves that resulted in two months of physical therapy under the guidance of Dr. Robert Watkins, a noted back specialist, in Los Angeles.
On Saturday night, Wright finished an eight-game rehab assignment with High Class A St. Lucie. He hit .321 (9-for-28) with one RBI, five walks and six strikeouts. All Wright’s hits were singles.
“The reports are great,” Collins said before the Mets beat the Rockies 5-1 to complete a three-game series sweep, their first sweep ever at Coors Field. “He looks good. He’s feeling good. He’s swung the bat good. It’s the Florida State League, so I’m not putting any expectations on him.”
Collins said Wright will not be an everyday player until he shows his back can hold up to that grind. On July 24, the Mets acquired veteran third baseman Juan Uribe, who can spell Wright.
“To play here, it just takes more energy,” Collins said. “So we’ll see how he is after tomorrow’s game. Is he going to play three (games) in a row? Maybe. He probably won’t play four in a row. He’ll decide that. He and I will talk every day to try to determine what day he needs off.”