Wright feels good after taking grounders

David Wright said his back felt good after he played catch Sunday, making about 20 throws, and taking ground balls from his knees. The third baseman, who will be re-examined Friday, said he isn't nervous about the test results.

"I haven't had any hint that it's going to go anything less than favorable," said Wright, who plans to ride the bike Monday. "I've been around that six-week period where bones usually heal themselves, and hopefully I'll be ready to go after I get that clearance."

But he added, "You don't get clearance and then [play] the next day. I'm pretty sure I'll probably go down to Florida and start there, but at least it'll be a step forward. And once you're cleared by the doctor, then you can start doing a little more than throwing 20 times and taking ground balls on your knees, I guess."

Tuneup with Koufax

It's not unusual for Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax, a high school teammate of Fred Wilpon's, to talk with the Mets during spring training. Sunday's visit was a bit out of the ordinary, but it aided Chris Capuano, who chatted with Koufax before the game.

After a spring training tutorial, Capuano adopted Koufax's push-off technique from the rubber. "The biggest thing I took away from our conversations," Capuano said, "is that he had great stuff, but he still had to work the outside three inches of the plate and the inside three inches. In that way, pitching hasn't changed."

Extra bases

Howie Kendrick's bat flew out of his hands in the seventh inning and hit a young girl. The crowd booed when Kendrick asked for it back. The girl was given another bat . . . The Mets honored Mark Raynor, 57, of Westhampton Beach as "MVP Dad'' in an on-field pregame ceremony.