Wright homers in first at-bat in 4 months for Mets

Wright’s return not only signifies that he’ll play again in 2015, but also puts questions to rest about the potential future of his playing career as a whole, as some speculated that the diagnosis could put an end to the career of the seven-time All-Star. Wright could easily sit a day game after a night game and likely won’t play more than three days in a row in a given week.

That he comes to a team with a relatively comfortable division lead – the kind of luxury Wright hasn’t enjoyed in quite some time – means he’ll get some time to get it right.

The Phillies, now tied with the Miami Marlins for fourth in the NL East, are fortunate in that they will miss facing Matt Harvey in this week’s four-game series.

Mets manager Terry Collins previously said Wright will not be an everyday player, and talked with Wright about playing time. While the latter two are now slated as the starting first second baseman, respectively, the club has the depth to replace and shift either of them if need be.

Since the Phillies last faced Jacob deGrom, the New York Mets righthander has lowered his ERA from 2.71 to 1.98, dominated on a national stage in the All-Star Game, and thrust himself into National League Cy Young Award consideration.

Wright last played on April 14.

In his five rehabilitation games with Class A St. Lucie, Wright is 4 for 15 with five walks.

“The reports are great”, Collins said. He played nine innings at third base Tuesday. “It nearly feels like as far as the relationships you’ve never left and that’s a credit to all these guys for keeping me in the loop and texting and calling”, Wright said before the game.

“The expectations now here are high, and I think they should be high”, Wright said Monday. “We’ll be careful with him, how he plays, and how often he plays, and make sure that he’s gonna help us”. Maybe. Probably not four. “Hopefully all goes well, hopefully we win, and then I’ll do the same thing tomorrow”.