What is spinal stenosis? Spinal Stenosis is a narrowing of joint space in either the central canal (where the spinal cord is) or the intervertebral foramina (where nerve roots leave the spinal column). The compression causes back pain that may shoot down the leg(s) causing muscle weakness, numbness, and tingling. How far the pain, if present, travels down the leg is based on severity and location of the compression. There is also a lack of mobility in the vertebrae of the lower back and muscles become tight as a result; these two factors may also contribute to the degree of pain (metsblog.com). A partial cause for the injury could stem from Wright injuring his lower back during the 2013 season, thus missing two months during the middle of that year. So how does this effect the Mets Captain?
Well, sadly, the symptoms of stenosis are irreversible. Wright will have back problems most of the rest of his life, meaning he will have difficulty being upright and standing while also experiencing a lack of mobility in the vertebrae of the lower back. Wright can still play baseball, as there is such a low risk of sever injury to the back with this kind of diagnosis, but the longevity and productivity Wright once experienced may be a thing of the past. As much as it pain's me to say this, I think Wright's effective days are behind him.
I say this for a couple of reasons. One is that Wright's production has gone down over the last few years. Wright hasn't driven in 100 or more runs in a season since 2010 when he drove in 103. The closest he has come to it since then was 93 runs in 2012. I've been contending this for the last few years now, Wright's numbers have gone down because of the Mets. Because if you look at Wright's best years with the team, which were 2005-10, they all had the same thing in common. He had protection in the lineup. He had guys like Piazza, Floyd, Cameron, Beltran and Delgado hitting in the same batting order. Wright was able to see pitches to hit and there wasn't as much pressure on him to perform. Over the last five or so years, the Mets have gotten rid of that protection and haven't been able to replace it in the lineup. So Wright has been almost kind of forced to carry the team on his back. He's trying to do more than he should, because he doesn't have help in the lineup.
Another reason why Wright's numbers are going down now are due to the injury. With stenosis, there's no timetable for when the Captain could be back with the big club. Some reports were that Wright would have already rejoined the team right around now, which the Mets need because they kind of look like the walking wounded at the moment. Now with this diagnosis, Wright is going to be out even longer. With an injury like this, even when Wright comes back, there's no promise he will be able to play everyday like he once had.
This sucks for a guy who had all the talent in the world. Here's a guy who could almost do it all playing 3rd base. Has a great glove, can throw, hit, hit for power, run. Basically a jack of all trades if you will. Now that could be going by the waside. In his time in New York, David has only seen playoff baseball once, that coming in 2006. Which is kind of sad, considering how good a ballplayer David is.
David Wright still is the face of the Mets Franchise. Right now he can still be of service to the Mets at 3rd base. Just not as much as he, or the franchise, would have liked. His career is in no way, shape or form over. It does look as if his days as the everyday 3rd baseman are all but done.
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