Just Mets

David Wright was inching closer towards beginning a rehab assignment as he worked his way back from a strained hamstring and a strained lower back.

That rehab assignment will have to wait, and so will his return to the Mets.

Assistant GM John Ricco said on Saturday in Pittsburgh Wright has been shutdown for at least one week after his back stiffened up while performing baseball activities at the team’s minor league complex in Port St. Lucie.

Wright was once again evaluated by team doctors, and he has been diagnosed with stenosis which is narrowing of the spinal column.

This is a serious condition, and not something that necessarily comes with any guarantees.

At this point, the Mets cannot expect Wright to return in the short-term. Assuming all goes well over the next week, he will have to start from square one again as he works his way back from this injury, and presumably will be treated even more conservatively than he has to this point during this process, considering the kind of injury this is, which really isn’t good at all.

Sandy Alderson said earlier this week he intended to wait and see how the lineup performs with both Wright and Travis d’Arnaud. Unfortunately, Alderson may not be able to wait for Wright before making that determination, as the lineup continues to struggle on a daily basis.

Team officials have said the hamstring is no longer a factor for Wright – his issues center strictly around his back pain.

He has been on the 15-day disabled list since April 15.

You can learn more about spinal stenosis here.