Good news about Wright lifts Mets' spirits

If you're a Mets fan, and you were aware that it was David Wright's turn Thursday for a checkup, you surely prepared yourself for the buzzwords to come out of Sandy Alderson's mouth:

"Setback."

"Irritation."

"Inflammation."

"Second opinion."

"Third opinion."

"No opinion."

Instead, after a 4-1 victory over the A's at Citi Field, Alderson offered a rare dose of hope: Wright, suffering from a stress fracture in his lower back, has been cleared to "commence full baseball activity" and could come back in a few weeks.

"Commence" instead of "conclude."

"Activity" instead of "rest."

On a normal team, it would generate a few nods of appreciation. On the Mets -- with Ike Davis receiving very troubling news Wednesday and Wright already having seen his return pushed back by weeks -- it felt like cause for a party.

"I said to him, 'Go down to Port St. Lucie. There's nothing to do there,' " Jose Reyes said, smiling. " 'Get well soon, man, because we need you.' "

"It's always nice to get an All-Star back," Daniel Murphy said.

At 37-38, the Mets trail the Braves (43-33) by 51/2 games, five in the loss column. Six other teams stand between them and Atlanta. The Mets remain a significant long shot.

But given the way this club has connected with its fan base, the Mets won't turn to sell mode if or until it becomes absolutely necessary.

And with Wright set to fly Friday to the Mets' spring training base, where he'll conduct his rehabilitation, the Mets can keep fighting with the anticipation of a reinforcement. Unlike, say, Davis (left ankle sprain and bone bruise) or Johan Santana (left shoulder), neither of whom can be realistically expected to contribute anything this season.

We know that Wright didn't produce like his old self when he was on the active roster this season. We've heard the laments that he's no longer the player of 2006-08. Nevertheless, even in his diminished state, he provided far more offense from the third-base position than have his replacements, Justin Turner, Murphy and Willie Harris.

That trio has totaled nine doubles and zero homers in 173 plate appearances while playing the position. Wright, in 172 plate appearances this season, delivered eight doubles and six homers.

And if you want to optimistically assume that Wright will perform better because he'll be feeling better . . . well, that's all the better for the Mets.

"With all the blows we've taken in the last six weeks, this is finally a positive,'' Terry Collins said. "When you saw David today, he was fired up to get back on the field, so this is really, really good news for us.''

The Mets now head to Texas and Detroit, a very challenging road trip, and the Yankees come to Citi Field before the Mets get right back on the road to Los Angeles and San Francisco. It won't get any easier.

"Finish strong, take that break, come back and play good baseball," Murphy said. "I think we're playing good baseball right now."

The idea is to stay competitive by the July 31 non-waivers trading deadline, for if they can't, Alderson will have to seriously consider trading Carlos Beltran and Francisco Rodriguez and even listen to offers for Reyes. While retooling with prospects might prove wise for this organization, there's no doubt that many fans are tired of bleak Augusts and Septembers and would love to see meaningful baseball in those late months.

Thursday's news, then, made that dream less of a long shot. And it marked one day in which thankful Mets fans wouldn't have to turn to their medical glossaries.