CINCINNATI _ Jose Reyes spoke with compassion, trying his best to offer what support he could to long-time friend and teammate David Wright after a latest setback.
Wright has backers in all corners of the organization as he attempts to return to the majors, and it pains his supporters to see him encounter so many difficulties.
"I feel bad for him. I know all the work he put in," Reyes said Tuesday afternoon. "Not only this year, two years ago, he's been doing all that rehab. That's tough when you feel like you are getting ready to go play baseball and you got another setback. I don't want to be in his shoes right now. I am sure he's got a lot of stuff going through his head. I don't know how David Wright does it, to be honest with you. You have to be very strong right here to continue to do what he do to try to get back. As a baseball player we feel bad for him, he still try to go back on the field and try to help this ball club."
Prior to a 14-4 loss to the Reds at Great American Ball Park on Tuesday night, members of the organization were sympathetic toward Wright after he was shut down for at least the third time this season. Wright's season is in jeopardy after experiencing shoulder pain during his rehab assignment, and there are concerns about his future.
Wright is set to visit a doctor, and said in a statement released by the team Monday night that he will make any decisions following that appointment.
"It's tough for him. Everybody in this room knows him and knows he put every bit of an effort in to it to make it work," Mets manager Terry Collins said. "You just salute the fact that he gave it his best shot, see what the doctor has to say now and I am sure David will make the decision that is in his best interest along with the club's."
Wright's shoulder has been problematic dating to spring training, and once again is at the root of the issue. Wright underwent neck surgery last year and had to rebuild the muscles in the shoulder and supporting area, and they have not cooperated.
He was shut down in spring training with a right shoulder impingement shortly after he started throwing, and played third base twice on this latest rehab assignment before being shut down. Wright went 1 for 10 in the three games with Class-A St. Lucie.
Wright's ability to throw affects whether he can be an everyday player moving forward.
Collins said Wright's shoulder may have flared up even before he played third base in the rehab games, and is not sure if Wright could return strictly as a pinch hitter.
"I just hope he gets a good report from the doctor and can move forward," Collins said.
If Wright is unable to return this year, it's possible he and Reyes will never fulfill their goal of playing together one last time. The two had hoped to play side-by-side on the left side of the infield once again, but Wright has not played since Reyes rejoined the Mets.
"When I signed here, I was very excited about that. At this point it's been kind of hard for that to happen. I wish all the best for him," Reyes said. "Whatever decision he needs to make, I going to make I am going to be behind him 100 percent. If he want to continue playing I am going to be here supporting him, whatever he decides to do.
