David Wright suffers shoulder impingement, unlikely for Opening Day

David Wright has been shut down from throwing a baseball for “a couple of weeks” according to Anthony DiComo at MLB.com, following what is being called an ‘impingement’ in Wright’s right shoulder. Wright has not played the field yet this spring, and before camp began had not thrown a baseball since last June.

Team doctors believe the injury springs from surgery Wright had to repair a herniated disc in his neck in June 2016. Mets General Manager Sandy Alderson told reporters, "What's happening here is that the muscles around the shoulder have not re-engaged since the surgery.” Wright’s readiness for Opening Day was already in question before the news of this impingement.

Wright was limited to just 37 games in 2016, and has been relegated to the designated hitter role in two games thus far this spring.

While the Mets have a fair amount of infield depth, DiComo also reported that T.J. Rivera and Gavin Cecchini were both taking extra reps at third base today, perhaps due to Wright’s setback. Jose Reyes and Wilmer Flores are likely to get ample time at third during the spring and early season. Flores has also been playing first base while Lucas Duda has been dealing with back and hip issues.