Collins: No surprise if Wright plays Friday
David Wright #5 of the New York Mets looks on from the dugout against the Washington Nationals at Citi Field. (April 10, 2012) Credit: Jim McIsaac
If Terry Collins' gut feeling is correct, David Wright could be in the Mets' lineup as early as tomorrow night in Philadelphia.
The third baseman did not talk to reporters after Wednesday's 4-0 loss to the Nationals, but Collins said Wright feels "a lot better" and will have another examination Thursday.
Wright received a new splint for his fractured right pinkie at the Hospital for Special Surgery and is day-to-day until the swelling in his finger subsides.
The Mets offered no further update on his condition.
But Collins, nevertheless, was optimistic before the game about Wright's status, saying: "I will not be surprised one bit to write his name in the lineup Friday."
After Wednesday's loss -- the Mets' second in a row -- the manager remained upbeat about the prospect of Wright playing through the pain.
"I'm not a doctor, I don't mean to step on the doctor's toes. I will never do that," Collins said. "But when they give us a final diagnosis of the whole thing, my gut tells me that you'll see him Friday."
The Mets previously thought Wright had jammed his pinkie Monday night against the Nationals when he slid into first base on a pickoff attempt in the third inning. But an X-ray Tuesday night showed he has a small fracture at the middle joint of his right pinkie finger.
Ronny Cedeño (0-for-3) started at third for the second straight game and batted eighth. Lucas Duda hit in Wright's No. 3 spot and went 0-for-3.
Despite Collins' optimism, there still is a chance Wright -- who said he couldn't grip a bat Tuesday -- could wind up on the disabled list. If that ends up being the case, the manager said he's leaning toward moving Daniel Murphy from second base to third.
"Hopefully we don't have to decide," the manager said. "What it comes down to for me is, when David's in the lineup, I like our defense. And if he's not in our lineup, how do we improve it completely?
"I know Dan Murphy can play third base. And absolutely no disrespect intended, but he's a guy who's learning to play second base and I know he can play third. So if David's out for an extended period of time, I think in time Dan would be a lot more comfortable playing third than he is probably learning to play second. So if that's the case, it certainly would be an easy move for him.
"I'm sure Dan would be on board because he just wants to help as best he can. And we'll put someone else at second base."
