David Wright missed two months last year with a stress fracture in his lower back, or as he likes to describe it when he wants to sound like a Navy SEAL, a "broken back." His injury early this spring isn't related, though it's still troublesome. From MLB.com:
Mets third baseman David Wright flew to New York on Sunday for an examination and possible cortisone injection in his left rib cage
While the Mets are saying all of the things you'd expect them to say -- not too concerned, optimistic that he'll return soon -- players generally don't get cortisone shots to the ribs just for yuks. And while manager Terry Collins said he was optimistic, he also left this quote to mull over:
"You better believe it's troubling," Collins said. "And we have no answers."
The Mets have been voted "Most Likely to Lose a Player to a Wheat Thresher Accident" for four years running, which is an award handed out to the most injury-plagued team. Well, it should be a real award. Wright should be ready by Opening Day, but Mets' fans are right to be just a little cynical about that timetable. They've earned it.