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For once there's some positive news on David Wright's back rehab: Terry Collins said today that the Mets' captain is doing unspecified baseball-related activities and that he can be officially cleared to resume activities after meeting with his doctor on Monday.
On July 1, Collins was hopeful that Wright would begin activities sometime in the following week. The Mets were originally optimistic that Wright could make his return to the team around the All-Star break. Since then, however, the timetable has changed. Wright hasn't appeared in a game since April 15, when he injured his right hamstring while sliding into second base. He was later diagnosed with spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spine that has sidelined the third baseman ever since. He has been in California for a month and a half to undergo a physical therapy regimen put together by back specialist Dr. Robert Watkins.
In Wright's absence, Daniel Murphy has been the primary fill-in at third base, with Ruben Tejada and Eric Campbell also splitting time there. After suffering injuries of his own, Murphy has been cold at the plate, notwithstanding his home run in today's game against the Diamondbacks. Since June 30, the 30-year-old, a free agent at the end of the season, has hit just .244/.279/.293 while playing every game at the hot corner.