Wright takes aim at personal 162-game season

NEW YORK -- The most pressing question surrounding David Wright heading into this season was his ability to stay healthy. After sustaining major injuries in two of the previous three seasons, Wright spent his offseason brainstorming ways to stay on the field.

It is worth noting, then, that Wright has started every game that the Mets have played this season, missing a total of two innings during a blowout in Anaheim last month. He is talking openly, albeit skeptically, about appearing in all 162. Even if his offensive numbers are not where he wants them to be -- Wright's walk and home run rates are both way down -- he is achieving the one goal that makes all others possible.

"If I feel good enough, then that obviously would be a nice number, a nice goal," Wright said of playing in all 162 games. "But if taking a day off would be better for me and the team in the long run, then I should take the day."

Earlier in his career, Wright had little trouble staying healthy, playing in 160-plus games in three of his first four full seasons. But the third baseman's durability has taken a hit in recent years, due mostly to the injuries -- a stress fracture in his lower back in 2011 and a strained hamstring in '13 -- that have plagued him.

Manager Terry Collins has been searching for an opportunity to give Wright a day off, but so far has resisted. That respite could come on the Mets' upcoming 11-game road trip, though Wright will not be the one to ask for it.

"It's always good in theory to try to take a blow here and there," Wright said. "But then when you get in the grind of it, especially with how we've struggled lately, I've never been one to go initiate it. I have to be told to take an off-day. It would be a different story if we were playing well and I felt comfortable taking a day here or there."