NEW YORK — Mets third baseman David Wright will sit out the rest of the season because of a nagging injury to his left shoulder.
Wright was examined Tuesday by doctors at the Hospital for Special Surgery, where he had an MRI that showed persistent inflammation in his rotator cuff. Wright said he will rest to decrease the inflammation and then begin a six-week rehabilitation program to strengthen his entire shoulder.
"It’s disappointing," Wright said Tuesday night. "But I think for me personally, making sure I end this year as healthy as can be and then do what I can, starting with this rehab program, to ensure that I will be as close to 100 per cent for spring training is the goal."
General manager Sandy Alderson said Wright could have further tests, including another MRI with dye, after the inflammation subsides.
The seven-time All-Star and team captain was scratched from New York’s lineup against Colorado because of increased soreness in his shoulder, which has bothered him since mid-June. He had a cortisone shot around the All-Star break.
"This year speaks volumes about his character," second baseman Daniel Murphy said after the Mets’ 2-0 win over the Rockies.
Despite the pain, Wright has missed only 11 games, but his power and production have dropped off dramatically in the second year of a $138 million, eight-year contract. He batted .269 with eight homers — none after July 11 — and 63 RBIs.
Wright had never hit fewer than 10 homers in any of his 10 previous major league seasons.
"I’m not one to make excuses and I’m not going to start doing it now," Wright said. "I think that there were times I should’ve done better, I could’ve done better. This season has left a sour taste in my mouth."
Alderson, though, defended Wright’s performance.
"David did what captains do: He persevered, he gutted it out," Alderson said. "Numbers or no numbers, he did what we expected. He made a major contribution to the team."
The Mets did get back Murphy, who batted second in the win over the Rockies. Murphy was activated from the disabled list and went 1 for 3 with a walk. He had been out since Aug. 24 with a strained right calf.
The fourth-place Mets improved to 70-75 with 17 games remaining. They are 5 1-2 games out of a playoff spot.
