PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. – New York Mets third baseman David Wright was scratched from the lineup for the intrasquad game on Saturday because of soreness on his left side.
The Mets say he has stiffness near his ribcage and will be replaced by Zach Lutz in the lineup.
Wright says he understands the decision to sit out, noting "if it was a real game, obviously I would be playing. But they wanted to try to take it slow, especially this early in the spring."
Wright felt stiffness on Monday and was limited in workouts early in the week.
Mets manager Terry Collins says it's more important for Wright to be healthy for the Mets Grapefruit League opener against the Washington Nationals on Monday night.
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