Wright's return uncertain; d'Arnaud progressing
CHICAGO -- As several injured Mets inch toward returns, third baseman David Wright's path back remains uncertain.
Wright, whose rehab from a strained right hamstring stalled when he began experiencing lower-back pain last week, did not participate in any baseball activities Monday at Port St. Lucie, Fla. Instead, he received treatment at the team's rehab center. Though Wright could return to the field as soon as Tuesday, assistant general manager John Ricco said that "based on how it's going, I'm not going to make any guesses."
Wright has not played since April 14, when he strained his hamstring in a game against the Phillies. He was batting .333 at the time with one home run in eight games. Because of Wright's prolonged absence, the Mets recently promoted second baseman Dilson Herrera from Triple-A Las Vegas, shifting Daniel Murphy to third.
Making steadier progress is catcher Travis d'Arnaud, who has been cleared for all baseball activities other than swinging a bat. Ricco said that d'Arnaud should begin hitting in about a week, as he works his way back from a fractured right pinkie finger. The catcher is on schedule to return from the disabled list around the end of May.
Other Mets injury updates:
• Former closer Bobby Parnell restarted his rehab assignment Monday night with Class A Advanced St. Lucie, throwing two wild pitches in a blown save. Parnell had been on assignment last month, but came off it when he started experiencing right forearm soreness. He must demonstrate that he can pitch in back-to-back games before the Mets will activate him for the first time since Tommy John surgery in April 2014.
• Reliever Vic Black threw a bullpen session Monday, with plans to repeat the exercise on Thursday. Black, who is dealing with shoulder soreness, has yet to make his season debut.
• Starter Rafael Montero received treatment Monday on his inflamed right rotator cuff, but did not throw. Ricco described Montero's injury as somewhat more serious than the Mets originally believed, declining to give a timeframe for his return.