New York Mets third baseman David Wright is optimistic that he will be returning this season but not soon after being diagnosed with a lumbar spinal stenosis and is receiving treatment.
Wright has been on the disabled list since April 15 because of a hamstring injury and was shut down by the Mets on May 23 after being diagnosed with a spinal stenosis, the Sports Illustrated reported.
"There has never been a question in my mind that not only am I going to come back, but that I am going to come back sooner rather than later," Wright said according to the Daily News.
"It's just a matter of being symptom-free and meeting both time requirements and physical requirements in my rehab. I am just not there right now," he added.
According to the Daily News, the doctors are warning the 32-year-old about his eagerness to return as they tell him that everything needs to be taken slowly to prevent aggravating his back issue and to avoid surgery which likely ends his career.
"The biggest thing that the doctor continues to reiterate with me is you want to avoid surgery at all costs. And if that means being a little more conservative, then that means being a little more conservative, because we're not just talking about playing baseball. We're talking about walking and standing and being pain-free," Wright stated according to ESPN.
Meanwhile, Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said they are not looking at Wright returning in a number of weeks but are hoping he would come back this season.
"I don't expect him back in the next couple of weeks by any means. But, at the same time, we do expect him back sometime this season," Alderson said according to ESPN.
"We just have to wait and see when we can make a better, more precise assessment of when that will be," he added.
Wright's condition is similar to former Mets and Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Lenny Dykstra who was forced to retire because of the injury.
