David Wright Goes 3-For-5, Hits HR Against Phillies With Fractured Pinkie

Many were surprised when David Wright was penciled in the New York Mets lineup Saturday against the Philadelphia Phillies despite nursing a fractured pinkie. He proved any doubters wrong, however, hitting a home run off of the first pitch he saw, on his way to a 3-for-5 performance with an RBI.

Wright missed the Mets' previous three games, and at one point seemed destined to land on the disabled list. He was reportedly struggling with his swing as recently as Friday, and couldn't wrap his finger around the bat handle without some pain. He apparently felt much better 24 hours later, however, as helped the Mets to a 5-0 win.

Wright broke his finger Monday while diving back to a base. He was replaced at third base by Ronny Cedeno on Tuesday and Wednesday, and Justin Turner on Friday.

The home run went deep off of Phillies starting pitcher Vance Worley in the first inning. Worley gave up eight hits and four earned runs in six innings.

For more news and analysis on the Mets, visit Amazin' Avenue.

David Wright In Saturday's Lineup Despite Fractured Pinkie

In a somewhat surprising development, New York Mets' third baseman David Wright is in the lineup for Saturday afternoon's game against the Philadelphia Phillies. Wright broke his pinkie on Monday against the Nationals when he dove back to a base. He was unable to take swings on Friday, and he was going to test it one more time on Saturday before a likely trip to the DL. But apparently Saturday's tests went well, and Terry Collins has him batting third against Vance Worley. Via @Mets:

Mets Sat. lineup at Philly: Tejada-SS, Murphy-2B, Wright-3B, Davis-1B, Bay-LF, Duda-RF, Nieuwenhuis-CF, Thole-C, Niese-LHP

— New York Mets (@Mets) April 14, 2012

It's an unexpected turn of events, as Wright seemed destined for the disabled list after being held out all week and struggling to swing on Friday. On Friday night, he said the fracture prevented him from wrapping the pinkie fully around the bat. Via MLB.com:

"Right now my finger won't wrap around anything," he said. "Obviously, it's painful, but right now it's more of a functional thing, too. It's tough to make a fist, so I can't really get that finger moving the way that I need it to grip a bat."

But he was cleared to play as long as he was able to bear the pain and effectively swing and grip his glove. He reiterated that he doesn't want to play through the pain to point where he's largely ineffective and hurting the team, but he's going to give it a go on Saturday against the Mets' bitter rival.

For more news and analysis on the Mets, visit Amazin' Avenue.

David Wright Probably Destined For Disabled List With Pinkie Fracture

At one point the New York Mets were 4-0. The New York Mets were 4-0! Things were wonderful! And then they started getting all Metsy. David Wright hurt himself diving back to a base. Tests revealed a fractured pinkie. The Mets lost their fifth game, and then they lost their sixth game.

If you were curious about Wright's status, Thursday provided one of the least helpful updates in recent memory:

More: "who reiterated that David can return to baseball activity as tolerated.His playing status will be reviewed again tomorrow .,.

— New York Mets (@Mets) April 12, 2012

But Friday has brought greater clarity. The short of it: news isn't great for Wright and the Mets.

TC: No swinging for Wright today. Pinkie still swollen. Will try tomorrow. If unsuccessful, then he'll go to DL.

— Adam Rubin (@AdamRubinESPN) April 13, 2012

David Wright said pain isn't even the issue right now. He cannot bend his finger around a bat it's so swollen. If I'm handicapping, DL.

— Adam Rubin (@AdamRubinESPN) April 13, 2012

It's not a guarantee that Wright will end up on the disabled list, but it's probable that Wright will end up on the disabled list barring an overnight recovery. On Tuesday and Wednesday he was replaced at third base by Ronny Cedeno. Starting at third base on Friday is Justin Turner. These people aren't David Wright, or even close to being David Wright, but you can't rush David Wright at a time like this. If he can't hold a bat, he can't hold a bat.

If there's good news, it's that a pinkie fracture probably doesn't have the linger potential that a wrist injury or an oblique injury might. Wright might have to go on the DL, but he should be just about 100 percent afterward.

David Wright Injury: Pinkie Fracture Sidelines Mets Third Baseman

David Wright fractured his pinkie diving back into a base, and now he's going to miss some time, although the good news is that he won't need surgery.