ATLANTA -- The Mets will play shorthanded during their series against the Atlanta Braves while David Wright remains in New York getting treatment on his bruised left rotator cuff, Terry Collins said Monday afternoon.
David Wright
#5 3B
New York Mets
2014 STATS
- GM79
HR6
RBI41
R35
OBP.333
- AVG.277
Collins said there has been "zero" consideration to placing Wright on the disabled list and team doctors believe he will be healed by Friday.
The original hope had been that Wright could return for Monday's series opener at Turner Field.
Wright had been dealing with discomfort for more than two weeks. It intensified and became painful during Thursday's game in Pittsburgh. He was scratched from Friday's lineup and examined Saturday and again Monday by team doctors.
"His exam went OK," Collins said. "He's not 100 percent. So we're going to give him a few more days, where he's going to meet us in New York on Friday and be ready to go then. I thought it was important for him to make sure when he comes back that we don't have issues. The doctors have said, 'Hey, look, he's going to be great by Friday.' So we'll just get by until then."
Collins said the Mets would not rebalance the roster in Wright's absence for the next three games. That means Eric Young Jr. is the only bona fide backup infielder. And even he's actually an outfielder.
The Mets face left-handers during the opening two games in Atlanta. Collins said the lack of maneuverability means Lucas Duda will get an opportunity to demonstrate he merits facing southpaws.
