Mets Lose Wright to Stress Fracture

Added on May 17, 2011 by Scott in

MLB

The results on yesterday’s MRI for Mets third baseman David Wright are in and it’s not good news. Wright has been diagnosed with a stress fracture in his lower back. The team will seek out a second opinion before shipping him to the disabled list, but it looks like a two to three week absence at least. On the bright side, no surgery will be required.

A timetable for Wright’s return is difficult to set due to the nature of the injury. Mets general manger Sandy Alderson sounded optimistic regarding the rehab process.

“It would be a nonsurgical course of treatment,” Alderson said. “According to the information we have now, it would be rest for the next 10 days or so, with a return to baseball activity [afterward]. We’re not talking about something long term, but we are talking about something that may require him to rest for a period of time.”

Wright has been dealing with pain and stiffness for the last month, going back to April 19th when it’s believed he first suffered the injury while attempting a diving tag.

The 28-year-old five-time All-Star has been mired in a terrible slump. He’s batting .226 with six home runs with only one multiple hit game in his last 15. Wright refused to blame his poor play on the ailment, but it’s logical to assume it has been a contributing factor.

“By no means is this thing a cop-out or an excuse for what I’ve done so far,” Wright said. “I’ve played through it and when I take the field, I expect to play at a certain level, and thus far I haven’t been able to play at that level.”

For now, veteran utility player Willie Harris will take over at third. He’s hitting a paltry .205 in 37 games with one homer and seven RBI.

At 19-22, the Mets are sitting at the bottom of the NL East, 6.5 games behind the Phillies.

Source: ESPN.com