David Wright is playing competitive baseball again, and though he knows he’s got a long way to go before he can entertain a return to the majors, he’s still aiming for it.
Wright went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts in a rehab appearance at High-A St. Lucie on Sunday, successfully playing five innings in the field. He made clear that his goal is to play Major League Baseball with the Mets before the 2018 season is over.
“I wouldn’t be out here in 95-degree sunny Florida dripping sweat if I didn’t think I could make it back,” Wright said, via Corey Long of Newsday. “Not only just make it back. I’ve got to see results down here. In order to go up there and try to help those guys I’m going to have to show I can be productive and be counted to get some hits and make the plays.”
Wright is well aware that the process will be a slow one, and is cognizant of the risks of pushing himself too hard initially.
“Everybody wants to go get hits and everybody wants to make all the plays in the field,” Wright said. “But I think for me, I have to really — not necessarily temper expectations — but be realistic about the process and to make sure I’m doing the work behind the scenes and start seeing the results as we get further along in this rehab.”
Wright has had neck, back, and shoulder woes since his last appearance with the Mets in May of 2016, but has said all along he wants to play in New York in 2018. He has to feel good about just getting on a field again, but the Mets will take it slow with Wright’s rehab. There is no reason to rush him, and if he makes it back, so be it.
