David Wright, on the disabled list since Aug. 3, may return to the field during the San Francisco series that starts Tuesday.
Although Mets manager Terry Collins insisted the All-Star third baseman “won’t get hurt” and can’t be put in “plastic wrap,’’ the rhetorical question “What Could Possibly Go Wrong?” comes to mind.
The answer, as all Mets fans know, is plenty.
“[The Giants series] could be in play depending on how he comes out of tomorrow and where we stood on Tuesday,’’ Collins said Saturday, before the Mets split a doubleheader with the Marlins — with a 3-0 loss early and a 3-1 win late. “Dave is going to do some things [Sunday], Tuesday we’re going to have a meeting and decide where we’re at, what we need to do. David’s input and all the doctors and trainers and PTs and witch doctors and everybody involved, they’re all going to be there.’’
Wright’s input likely will be predictable. He played through a tight right hamstring — which the Mets were aware of — and eventually strained it, going on the DL. He has steadfastly insisted he will return this season, and while he admits Tuesday might be optimistic, it’s still his hope.
“I do feel like there are some things I have to accomplish before I play. That leaves Sunday and Monday to accomplish those things, so we’ll see,’’ Wright said. “I think [Tuesday’s] optimistic, but I like to be optimistic so I hope that happens.’’
Considering Wright’s importance, Collins was asked why the Mets would push the issue. He responded, “Why not?’’ Asked what if Wright hurts his hamstring again, Collins answered definitively, “He’s not going to hurt the hamstring again.’’
Collins, who was out on the field watching Wright run the bases Saturday, seemed incredulous at the thought the 66-82 Mets might be better served shutting their captain down for the rest of a lost season. They are 23 games out and clinched a fifth straight losing record on Saturday.
“So what do we do next spring? Do we not play him all spring, for fear … he might get hurt in a spring training game?” Collins said. “This is a sport where people get hurt. You can’t police it. You’ve got to do the best you can to get them in shape, and then let them go play.
“We can’t put that plastic wrap around them, and expect them to play the way they’re capable of playing. This guy is a winner. He’s going to play like a winner. … If he needs to steal second or beat out an infield chopper, he’s going to do it, because that’s who he is. Now, do you want him to do it now? Yes, I want him to go play. And if something happens, it’s part of the game.’’
Those are the kind of words that can come back to haunt a manager, if not the Mets themselves. But make no mistake, Wright vehemently is opposed to the notion of shutting down for the season unless ordered by the Mets.
“It’s something I’m against personally,’’ Wright said. “Now, if the organization feels it’s best for [them] moving forward, then that’s a talk we’re going to have to have that obviously we haven’t had. But my understanding is if they feel like the doctors and I feel like I’m healthy enough to play, then I’m allowed to play.
“It’s not right for a player to just shut it down when I feel like I’m healthy enough to go out there and produce. So I’m completely against that, unless the organization comes to me and says, ‘Hey look, this is what’s best for us moving forward.’ They haven’t done that yet, so I’m preparing to play.”
His preparation Saturday started at 9:30 a.m., working with the training staff. With the minor league seasons over and the instructional league not starting for another 10 days, Wright will keep taking batting practice from bullpen coach Ricky Bones, and planned to stand in on Zack Wheeler’s bullpen session.