Mets likely to rest David Wright Wednesday night against Phillies
New York Mets third baseman David Wright laughs during warmups before the start of a baseball game with the Philadelphia Phillies, Monday, Aug. 24, 2015, in Philadelphia. Credit: AP / Laurence Kesterson
After a four-month absence spent rehabbing from spinal stenosis, David Wright likely will be rested Wednesday night against the Phillies. Manager Terry Collins said it's "a good shot" that Wright will be a spectator after making back-to-back starts.
Wright went 0-for-4 Tuesday night and failed to cleanly field a grounder, though it was not scored an error.
The team's depth has made it easier for Collins to take a conservative approach with Wright, who remains a key cog in a push for the postseason.
"We've got a lot of weapons and that makes you dangerous," Collins said. "That's one of the reasons why we're playing the way we are because we can give guys nights off and still have a strong bench."
The Mets' offense has taken off since the additions of Yoenis Cespedes, Juan Uribe and Kelly Johnson, along with the promotion of top prospect Michael Conforto.
Consider the Mets' 16-7 trouncing of the Phillies on Monday night. The Mets bashed a club-record eight homers even with Curtis Granderson on the bench.
He was joined by Conforto, Uribe and Johnson, giving the Mets a choice of pinch-hitting options had they been needed.
Said Collins: "That's something we haven't had."
Gilmartin comes through
The Mets took a chance on Sean Gilmartin, choosing him in the Rule 5 draft in hopes that he could convert himself from a starter into an effective reliever.
The lefty has made the most of that opportunity. After 31/3 scoreless innings Monday night -- all in relief of an ineffective Jacob deGrom -- Gilmartin lowered his ERA to 2.34.
"That's about the third time this year that he's absolutely saved us, saved the bullpen," Collins said.
Gilmartin has a 1.95 ERA in his last 272/3 innings.
"Whatever they need me to do, I'll be ready when that phone rings," said Gilmartin, who has filled various roles out of the bullpen.
