NEW YORK -- Mets infielder Wilmer Flores is concerned he may not play again this season due to the wrist injury that has already cost him most of September.
Flores visited a team doctor on Friday for the third time since colliding with Braves catcher A.J. Pierzynski in a game on Sept. 10 at Turner Field. Though Flores' original diagnosis of a bone bruise in his right wrist stands, the doctor recommended more rest for Flores. He has already received two cortisone shots.
"I am worried," Flores said when asked about the remainder of the season. "But I'm very positive that I'll feel good."
Added Flores: "I never thought it was going to take this long."
Over the past few days, Flores has begun swinging a bat in an indoor batting cage, though he did not begin doing so with much aggressiveness until recently. Flores, who has no problem running or fielding, hopes to return to the cage on Sunday morning with an eye toward taking full batting practice early next week.
But even if everything goes perfectly for him from this point forward, Flores is running out of time to contribute. Prior to his injury, Flores was one of baseball's most productive sluggers against left-handed pitching, batting .340 with 11 home runs in 107 plate appearances. Overall, he is a .267 hitter with 16 homers.
"I want to be healthy," Flores said. "I'm the first guy that wants to be out there helping the team. It's just frustrating. I want to tough it out, but it's something that I don't want to hurt the team and hurt myself by doing that."