PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. _ Mets captain David Wright on Tuesday threw for the second time since neck surgery last June, though he did it on a back field, hidden away from fans and reporters.
"We don't want him overexposed to where ... if he makes a bad throw, all of a sudden, it's a big story," manager Terry Collins said. "We want to make sure that when he starts out there throwing in front of everybody, that he's certainly ready to let it loose."
Wright, 34, took grounders with the rest of the team in addition to continuing his work at the plate. But until he can get his throwing up to speed, a process that may take three more weeks, he will be relegated to designated hitter duties during Grapefruit League games.
"[He] felt better, a lot looser ... he's making strides," Collins said of Wright, who has stopped short of making any promises about being ready for Opening Day.
Wright has played a total of only 75 games the past two seasons, limited by spinal stenosis and surgery to correct a herniated disc in his neck. But despite what appears to be a long road back to the starting lineup, the Mets insist Wright is their projected Opening Day third baseman.
