Just Mets

Both Terry Collins and Sandy Alderson said last week David Wright had begun simulated baseball activities under the supervision of Dr. Robert Watkins in Los Angeles.

Alderson said late last week Wright would return to New York and perform some baseball related activities at Citi Field as well as visit with team doctors in New York.

And on Tuesday, Wright returned to New York for the first time since early May, and Terry Collins said Wright fielded grounders, hit and ran on the field on Tuesday.

Collins said Wright’s arm looked strong, and the recovering third baseman experienced no discomfort in his back while working on Tuesday.

“It was a big step forward for him,” the manager said on Tuesday. “I think David Wrightwill be in our lineup by the end of the season for sure.”

Wright agreed with Collins.

“I don’t think there’s much of a question about that,” the third baseman said.

Wright would not offer a timetable for his return, nor would he say when he might start a rehab assignment.

“I’ll be ready when I’m ready,” Wright said.

He did say he’s done everything he can possibly do other than test his ability to return.

“I’ve done everything I can do rehab-wise. Now it’s just a matter of going out there and testing it on the field,” he explained.

Presumably, if Wright is cleared to start working his way back, he will soon head to the team’s minor league complex in Port St. Lucie, Florida to work under the supervision of rehab coordinator Jon Debus. Terry Collins said it’s possible Wright could begin a rehab assignment sometime next week.

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.