Alderson: Getting Wright back by Opening Day a 'realistic' goal

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Third baseman David Wright took his first swings since suffering an intercostal strain at the World Baseball Classic. After fielding grounders at third base for the second-straight day, Wright hit off a tee in the batting cages, marking another step forward.

"First time I'm hitting, so it's good," said Wright, who felt no pain during his workout.

The Mets captain maintains hopes of achieving his goal: being ready for Opening Day on April 1 against the Padres. Though the season opener is just eight days away, general manager Sandy Alderson believes Wright's goal is still within reach.

"I'm glad it's a goal," Alderson said. "Is it realistic? Yeah, I think it's realistic. I don't think there's any certainty, but it's realistic."

Meanwhile, Alderson reiterated that it's "almost inevitable" that Johan Santana will open the season on the disabled list. He offered no estimate on how long Santana could remain sidelined with fatigue in his ailing left shoulder.

Said Alderson: "I don't want to speculate."