Just Mets

David Wright’s progress as he attempts to return in 2015 has been slow, often arduous, but never with any level of certainty.

But late last week, Sandy Alderson offered a glimmer of hope the club’s captain could finally have gained traction towards returning, saying he has begun work towards beginning baseball activities as soon as this week.

Wright is expected to return to New York this week to meet with the team to demonstrate he has reached a point he can perform “actual” baseball activities versus what is being described as simulated baseball activities he is performing now in Los Angeles.

“David has been simulating baseball activities,” manager Terry Collins said after Sunday’s win over the Dodgers. “He’s been doing some running, doing some light hitting. Hopefully he [this week] starts baseball activities.”

Presumably, if he is cleared to start working his way back, he will head to the team’s minor league complex in Port St. Lucie, Florida to work under the supervision of rehab coordinator Jon Debus.

Neither Alderson or Collins have offered any sort of certainty Wright will return in 2015. It sounds as though Wright will need between 3-4 weeks – or the equivalent of a full spring training – before being activated from the disabled list, should he be cleared to return to Port St. Lucie.

That also assumes there are no setbacks in what will likely be his final rehabilitation attempt in 2015.

There’s also the question of what Wright will be when he does return, how much he can play, and ensuring he doesn’t suffer any setbacks when he does return, if that happens at all.

Fortunately, the Mets have some quality depth at third base in both Daniel Murphy and Juan Uribe, which makes Wright’s return and ability to stay on the field more of a bonus than the desperate necessity it was before.

Wright has been on the disabled list since April 15. He has played in a total of eight games in 2015. He was transferred to the 60-day disabled list on Friday, so the club will have to make a move on the 40-man roster if they activate Wright at some point this season.