Wright rests as Mets plot next rehab course

CHICAGO -- Not feeling well enough to play in three consecutive Minor League games, David Wright instead rested for a second straight day on Monday as the Mets attempt to evaluate their rehabbing captain's condition.
Wright, who played in rehab games on Friday and Saturday for Class A Advanced St. Lucie, including a full nine-inning game at third base on Friday, "didn't feel comfortable playing three in a row at this point," according to manager Mickey Callaway. That prompted the team to rest him both Sunday and Monday.
"He's going to get a couple days off, then we're going to reevaluate where he's at physically," Callaway said.

With St. Lucie ending its regular season on Sunday, the rest of the Mets' full-season affiliates wrapping up on Sept. 3, and none of them slated to qualify for the postseason, Wright is running out of chances to appear in live games. His rehab clock technically expires on Friday, but the Mets can find ways around that -- either by renewing the assignment or by using Wright in instructional league games, once that season begins in September.
In 10 rehab games so far for St. Lucie, Wright is batting .188 with a .454 OPS, though he went 6-for-18 in his last five contests.
More pertinently, the Mets must figure out if Wright's body is capable of handling big league games as he attempts to return from back, neck and shoulder injuries. Wright has not appeared in a Major League game since May 2016. If he does play this year, the Mets must also decide if they want to debut him at Citi Field, where he would receive a momentous ovation, or on the road, where they could activate him a week earlier. The team does not play another home game until Sept. 7.
"I can't say that I expect it either way," Callaway said of a potential Wright return. "I think that we're just trying to focus on the next day with David. It's been such a long road, and I think it'd be unfair to everyone to have any kind of expectations other that knowing that we support whatever he's doing day to day."
Ready for action
Outfielder Brandon Nimmo, who has been sidelined since Aug. 16 due to a bruised left index finger, rejoined the Mets on Monday at Wrigley Field -- but the team does not plan to activate him until Tuesday. The roster move will depend at least in part on catcher Kevin Plawecki, who will go on paternity leave as soon as his first child is born, or José Bautista, who could be traded as soon as Monday night.
Nimmo, who will wind up missing 12 games, was batting .265 with 15 homers, eight steals and an .890 OPS in 110 games prior to his injury.
"Unfortunately, it was something that just needed time," Nimmo said. "But I feel good."
On the mend
A day after departing a game early due to right quad soreness, second baseman Jeff McNeil was available off the bench for the Mets, who hope to reinsert him back into their starting lineup on Tuesday.

"He's significantly better," Callaway said on Monday afternoon of McNeil, who is batting .475 during his current 11-game hitting streak. Overall, the rookie is hitting .340 with two home runs and an .883 OPS in 32 games.