David Wright out of lineup again
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}David Wright would play if it weren't for two important things: He can't grip a bat or a baseball right now.
Wright was out of the New York Mets lineup for the third straight game Friday because of a broken right pinkie. The five-time All-Star was cleared to play by a hand specialist Thursday, but Justin Turner was in Wright's No. 3 spot in the lineup and playing third base against the Phillies.
"It's not about me sucking it up and playing through pain," Wright said. "I functionally can't grip a bat or grip a baseball. This isn't banged-up. I take great pride in going out there and playing through pain. But this would be stupid. I would be hurting the team. It doesn't make sense."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Wright sat out games Tuesday and Wednesday after learning he broke his finger diving back to a base Monday night. He said the hand specialist recommended he wait until Saturday to try to swing. Wright's finger is still swollen. and he said he can't make a fist.
"It's moving in the right direction, but it's a fractured bone," Wright said. "So it takes a little time. I wish it would go quicker."
Mets manager Terry Collins didn't rule out putting Wright on the disabled list. For now, the plan is to wait until Saturday.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"There are too many intangibles," Collins said.
The Mets were 4-0 before Wright sat out two straight losses. He is hitting .583 (7 for 12) with a homer and four RBIs.
Last year, Wright quietly played through back pain that turned out to be a stress fracture that sidelined him for two months. He ended up playing just 102 games and hitting a career-low .254.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Wright missed no more than eight games in five of the previous six seasons when he established himself as the premier third baseman in the NL. He hit .306 and averaged 26 homers and 104 RBIs from 2005-10.