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.