David Wright won't return for at least a week
New York Mets third baseman David Wright sits in the dugout during the game against the Yankees. (May 21, 2011) Credit: Christopher Pasatieri
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- What began as a two-day precautionary measure for David Wright has turned into an extended absence that will keep him out of the lineup until next week, according to Terry Collins.
Wright, who is nursing a sore left rib cage, worked out indoors again Tuesday and is awaiting clearance for regular baseball drills on the field. The Mets clearly are in no hurry to have him play, which is smart this early in spring training.
"We'll see when they're going to let him back on the field," Collins said. "There's no pain at all, no discomfort at all. All great signs. He even told me the other day that it was really a good move to slow this down."
Despite that optimistic outlook, however, Collins added, "I don't see him playing until the start of next week -- at the earliest."
Injuries to the rib cage and oblique muscles tend to drag on for weeks if they get to an advanced stage, and that's what the Mets are trying to avoid with Wright. On Saturday, Wright refused to admit he was hurting, so it seems his discomfort appeared to be minor from the start.
Nimmo checks in
Brandon Nimmo, the Mets' top draft pick last year, went 0-for-1 Tuesday with a walk and a run in his first taste of the majors. With the Mets having two split-squad games, Collins borrowed some prospects for the one at Digital Domain Park, and Nimmo, 18, was beaming afterward.
"It was something I dreamed about as a kid," Nimmo said. "When I looked at Matt Holliday at the plate, he's the only guy I've seen that actually looks bigger in person than on the TV screen. It was a blast."
Nimmo got a little carried away at one point, running out to congratulate D.J. Carrasco after the eighth.
"I need to let him know to let the players get to the dugout before shaking their hand," Collins said. "Don't meet them at the foul line."
Extra bases
Pedro Beato left with right shoulder stiffness as he warmed up for a second inning. He said his shoulder didn't hurt, but the Mets didn't want to take any chances . . . In the other split-squad game, Chris Schwinden gave up a two-run homer in a 4-1 loss to the Astros. Daniel Murphy made a throwing error.
