The New York Mets announced Thursday in a news conference that captain David Wright will be activated in their final homestand of the season vs. the Miami Marlins. The Mets host the Marlins to close out their season on September 28-30.
Mets third baseman David Wright, who hasn’t played in the majors since May 2016, will play in the team’s final homestand 🙌 pic.twitter.com/9YyGAjrvWr
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 13, 2018
Wright is scheduled to start for the Mets at third base on Saturday, September 29 in what is to be his final appearance for the club. Although he’s not officially retiring, Wright is not expected to play again after this season, via ESPN. A seven-time All-Star, Wright’s last appearance in a major league game was May 27, 2016, before neck, back, and shoulder injuries put him on the sideline.
Wright had been rehabbing in the minors until the first of September and has been with the Mets, rehabbing on the side, since then. Injuries began interfering with his career in 2011 and grew more troublesome in May 2015, when doctors diagnosed him with spinal stenosis — a back condition that will affect him for the rest of his life, as reported by MLB.com.
Some have suggested that the Mets’ decision was financially-motivated. If Wright is on the disabled list, insurance will cover much of his salary, according to NBC Sports. If he’s active, the Mets are on the hook. If Wright does, in fact, retire, the Mets will be off the hook for the $27 million he is still owed for the final two seasons of the eight-year, $138 million contract he signed with the team back in December of 2012.
“David Wright is a Mets icon, one of the finest players and people ever to wear the uniform, Mets uniform or any uniform, and clearly our fan favorite,” Jeff Wilpon, the Mets’ chief operating officer, stated in the news conference. “David has earned the opportunity to return to the major league field. Out of respect for him personally, professionally, and for our fans we want to give him that opportunity.”
Flip the page to see Wright’s tearful response.