NEW YORK — Each time David Wright awoke for an early workout in scorching heat at the Mets' complex in Port St. Lucie, Fla., he had this moment in his mind.
When his body kept him from functioning on certain days, he pushed through hoping that he could at least have one final chance to put a uniform on one final time.
Tuesday, 851 days since he last played in a game, that goal became a reality with the infielder swapping out a hoodie for a jersey, completing his comeback.
"To say it's a good feeling is an understatement," Wright said after being activated. "It's been a long time coming, and I can't wait to put that jersey on tonight, for sure."
For the first time since May 27, 2016, the Mets' active roster featured their captain, beginning a week-long celebration of Wright's career.
Wright is not expected to play during the series against Atlanta pending a blowout that provides for a pinch-hit at-bat, but he is on track to start his final game Saturday.
"To be able to suit up, to go out there and just the opportunity to get the chance to play means the world to me," Wright said Tuesday afternoon. "Just the support that I've seen and received the last couple weeks has been indescribable. Just everything from people stopping me on the street to The 7 Line chanting in Boston. It really has been emotional for me, but to get a chance to put that uniform on means the world to me."
Back with the team
There were times when this day seemed unlikely since Wright's body has not cooperated the last few years. Three major surgeries have left Wright waking up each day not knowing whether he's going to have a good day or have to take it slow.
Previous rehab assignments ended prematurely, but his latest one went relatively smoothly without any setbacks. Wright and the team worked out a plan to allow him to be active this final week with the one final game slated for the second-to-last game.
Wright admitted he's not at peace that his body won't allow him to continue, but he takes comfort knowing his daughters will have seen him play.
"I want to play. But it’s just I’ve spent so long going through the rehab process and things aren’t getting any better," Wright said. "I would say I’m at peace with the work I’ve put in knowing there was nothing else I could do."
Looking ahead
Wright did not consider Tuesday's activation as him making it all the way back from his injury, but that will come Saturday when he starts again at the hot corner.
Though Wright and Mets manager Mickey Callaway both hoped Wright would pinch-hit prior to Saturday, assistant general manager John Ricco said it's unlikely since the Braves are battling for home-field advantage in the playoffs.
Callaway is hoping Wright can play at least four to five innings in the field Saturday and tally several at-bats before being removed.
"I want to try to have a good showing," Wright said. "With that being said, I'm going to have fun, and fun is going to trump — for me at least — performance expectations. If I have fun, then I'll consider it a good day, a great day. That's what I'm looking forward to."
That focus on fun is a "unique" feeling for Wright since his career has always been focused on results. Understanding what he had to put his body through just to get to this point, and knowing it's his last game, is allowing Wright to take a different approach.
"I guess as a young player, or even a couple years ago, you think you can play forever. With me unfortunately, my body is just not allowing that to happen," Wright said. "That is a unique feeling. All in all, it's nice to obviously accomplish that I guess at this point more of a longer-term goal of being activated, but at the same time, wanting to put on as good a show as I possibly can — and at the same time soak it in."
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