NEW YORK -- Mets third baseman David Wright underwent back surgery Thursday, the Mets announced, adding another chapter to a recent history fraught with injuries.
Wright's latest surgery, a laminotomy, came less than a month after he underwent an operation on his right shoulder, and 16 months after he had surgery to repair a herniated disk in his neck. Wright did not play in a single regular-season game in 2017 due to a combination of shoulder and back woes.
The Mets' captain and longest-tenured player, Wright has been productive when healthy, batting .260 with 12 home runs and an .801 OPS in 75 games between 2015-16. But health has been increasingly difficult to maintain for Wright, who was diagnosed with spinal stenosis in 2015. A laminotomy is typically used to reduce nerve pressure in the spinal canal.
Wright recently stated his desire to keep attempting to return from injury. He still has three years and $47 million remaining on his contract, which the Mets' insurance policy has largely paid for in recent years. He reiterated that desire Thursday in a statement.
"Through this entire rehab process, I have been driven to get back on the field as quickly as I can," said Wright, who plans to spend most of his offseason rehabbing in Los Angeles. "That's why I had the shoulder surgery and that's why today I underwent back surgery to reduce the risk of further issues going forward. With these two surgeries behind me, I hope to be able to put on a Mets uniform again as soon as possible. My desire to play is as strong as ever."
Regardless, the Mets cannot factor Wright into their offseason plans. They will look to acquire either an everyday second or third baseman this winter, with a mix of in-house candidates -- including Asdrubal Cabrera, whose 2018 option the team is likely to exercise -- manning the other position.