Backup plan: Wright to see LA specialist
New York Mets third baseman David Wright sits in the dugout during the game against the Yankees. (May 21, 2011) Credit: Christopher Pasatieri
David Wright is scheduled to fly to Los Angeles on Monday to see Dr. Robert Watkins, another back specialist, as the Mets work to formulate a rehab schedule for the third baseman.
Wright, who has been diagnosed with a stress fracture in his lower back, said Friday that doctors would discuss the next step in his recovery. Seeing Watkins is what the medical staff came up with.
"This isn't necessarily a second opinion," Wright said. "It's part of the process in getting better . . . This is part of the plan really from Day 1, when we got the MRI results back."
Wright has been shut down since last Monday, and he said the week of rest helped his condition improve enough for him to make the cross-country flight.
Thole benched
Terry Collins described it as "a couple days to work on stuff" for a struggling Josh Thole. Put more bluntly, Thole essentially has been benched in favor of Ronny Paulino, who was behind the plate Sunday and will remain there for the immediate future.
"One thing we have to do is be patient, because this guy can hit and he's going to hit," Collins said. "Right now I just want to give him a chance to work on some things. We've got another guy that we think can hit too, so I'm going to get him in there for a couple days."
Trainer's table
The Mets expect Angel Pagan (oblique) to move up to Triple-A Buffalo later this week, but Collins does not anticipate his return until Friday at the earliest.
For Ike Davis, it could be a little longer. Davis, who is eligible to come off the DL Thursday, has yet to run on his recovering ankle, and Collins believes he will need a rehab game or two. "I want to make sure the foot is OK," Collins said. "His defense is really a big part of his game."
