NEW YORK (AP) — Hanging on a hook in David Wright's locker, above the baseball spikes and opposite the helmets of his favorite football teams, the New York Giants and Virginia Tech Hokies, was a blue and orange Mets cap and white jersey with pinstripes.No. 5 as always, with his name across the back.And for the first time in nearly 2½ years, Wright was ready to grant himself the privilege of putting it on."When I'm hurt, I never put my uniform on. I wear a hoodie or something like that," he said. "So to put that thing on again means the world to me, and is something that you tend to take for granted."After countless hours of rehab during an arduous comeback, Wright was reinstated from the disabled list Tuesday and added to New York's active roster for the first time since June 3, 2016. Following a long road back from several serious injuries, the 35-year-old team captain was eligible off the bench against NL East champion Atlanta."To say it's a good feeling is an understatement. It's been... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Hanging on a hook in David Wright's locker, above the baseball spikes and opposite the helmets of his favorite football teams, the New York Giants and Virginia Tech Hokies, was a blue and orange Mets cap and white jersey with pinstripes.No. 5 as always, with his name across the back.And for the first time in nearly 2½ years, Wright was ready to grant himself the privilege of putting it on."When I'm hurt, I never put my uniform on. I wear a hoodie or something like that," he said. "So to put that thing on again means the world to me, and is something that you tend to take for granted."After countless hours of rehab during an arduous comeback, Wright was reinstated from the disabled list Tuesday and added to New York's active roster for the first time since June 3, 2016. Following a long road back from a string of serious injuries, the 35-year-old team captain was eligible off the bench against NL East champion Atlanta."To say it's a good feeling is an understatement. It's... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Hanging on a hook in David Wright's locker, above the baseball spikes and opposite the helmets of his favorite football teams, the New York Giants and Virginia Tech Hokies, was a blue and orange Mets cap and white jersey with pinstripes.No. 5 as always, with his name across the back.And for the first time in nearly 2½ years, Wright was ready to grant himself the privilege of putting it on."When I'm hurt, I never put my uniform on. I wear a hoodie or something like that," he said. "So to put that thing on again means the world to me, and is something that you tend to take for granted."After countless hours of rehab during an arduous comeback, Wright was reinstated from the disabled list Tuesday and added to New York's active roster for the first time since June 3, 2016. Following a long road back from a string of serious injuries, the 35-year-old team captain was eligible off the bench against NL East champion Atlanta."To say it's a good feeling is an understatement. It's... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — David Wright has been reinstated from the disabled list and added to the New York Mets' active roster for the first time since June 3, 2016.After a long road back from a string of injuries, the 35-year-old team captain will be eligible off the bench Tuesday night against NL East champion Atlanta — if the game is played. Heavy rain has been falling throughout the day in New York, and the tarp is covering the infield at Citi Field.Assistant general manager John Ricco says it's unlikely Wright will play during the three-game series because the Braves are trying to earn home-field advantage in the Division Series, and the Mets don't want to compromise the integrity of the pennant race.It's possible Wright could pinch-hit if the score is lopsided.Wright is scheduled to start at third base in his farewell game Saturday night against last-place Miami. He hasn't played in the majors since May 27, 2016, due to neck, back and shoulder injuries that required surgery.Unable to get healthy enough to resume his career in earnest, Wright said he expects this weekend to be his last big league appearance.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

A look at what's happening around the majors today:ON THE CUSPHouston can clinch its second consecutive AL West title — and a best-of-five playoff matchup against Cleveland — with a win at Toronto and an Oakland loss in Seattle. Rookie right-hander Josh James (1-0, 2.81 ERA) makes his third career start for the defending World Series champions, already assured a postseason spot. Alex Bregman and the Astros, with the top road record in baseball at 53-22, are 99-57 overall and a major league-best 17-4 in September. "Everybody is really excited about us closing in on 100 wins and closing in on a division title," Bregman said, "but there's only one thing on our mind and that's winning the World Series again." The second-place A's locked up at least a wild card Monday night.PARTY CITYLooking to wrap up a franchise-record fourth straight trip to the playoffs, the Cubs can punch their ticket with a win over Pittsburgh at Wrigley Field and a loss by either Colorado or St. Louis. Mike Montgomery... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — New York Mets captain David Wright will return for the team's final homestand, making what will probably be his last appearance as a big leaguer.The Mets said that they plan to activate Wright when they return to Citi Field on Sept. 25 against Atlanta. The 35-year-old is scheduled to start at third base on the second-to-last day of the season against Miami.It would be his first major league game since May 2016. Wright has worked to return from a litany of neck, back and shoulder injuries that have required surgery.Although he's not officially retiring, Wright is not expected to play again after this season."The way I feel right now and from everything the doctors have told me, there's not going to be an improvement," Wright said when asked if he could play beyond 2018. "So, yeah, I don't see that as a possibility."Mets Chief Operating Officer Jeff Wilpon and Senior VP of Baseball Operations John Ricco joined Wright for an emotional news conference prior to the club's doubleheader... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — New York Mets captain David Wright will return for the team's final homestand, making what will probably be his last appearance as a big leaguer.The Mets said that they plan to activate Wright when they return to Citi Field on Sept. 25 against Atlanta. The 35-year-old is scheduled to start at third base on the second to last day of the regular season against Miami.It would be his first major league game since May 2016. Wright has worked to return from a litany of neck, back and shoulder injuries that have required surgery.Although not officially retiring, Wright is not expected to play again after this season."The way I feel right now and from everything the doctors have told me, there's not going to be an improvement," Wright said when asked if he could play beyond 2018. "So, yeah, I don't see that as a possibility."Mets Chief Operating Officer Jeff Wilpon and Senior VP of Baseball Operations John Ricco joined Wright for an emotional news conference prior to the club's... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Mets said that third baseman David Wright will return for the team's final homestand on Sept. 29.The Mets said that they plan to activate Wright when they return to Citi Field on Sept. 25 against Atlanta.The 35-year-old is scheduled to play on the second to last day of the regular season against Miami.It would be his first major league game since May 2016. Wright has worked to return from a litany of neck, back and shoulder injuries that have required surgery.Although not officially retiring, Wright is not expected to play again after this season."The way I feel right now and from everything the doctors have told me, there's not going to be an improvement," Wright said when asked if he could play beyond 2018. "So, yeah, I don't see that as a possibility."Mets Chief Operating Officer Jeff Wilpon and Senior VP of Baseball Operations John Ricco joined Wright for an emotional news conference prior to the club's doubleheader against Miami to make the announcement,... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Mets are transferring longtime media relations boss Jay Horwitz to a new role as vice president of alumni public relations and team historian.Mets chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon announced Horwitz's job change Wednesday at a press conference that was more of a roast by former players, coaches and executives. Horwitz has been with the team for nearly 40 years, and figures from throughout his tenure attended.Among them: Darryl Strawberry, Dwight Gooden, Mookie Wilson, Keith Hernandez, John Franco, Joe Torre, Terry Collins, Steve Phillips and Omar Minaya. A number of current Mets also attended, including captain David Wright.Horwitz will work in his new role to aid next season's 50-year anniversary of the Mets 1969 World Series championship, and also on further connecting the club's alumni.The 73-year-old Horwitz has been beloved by players for his bumbling but loyal personality.Horwitz recalled how he spilled a can of orange juice on general manager Frank... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Mets are transferring longtime media relations boss Jay Horwitz to a new role as vice president of alumni public relations and team historian.Mets chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon announced Horwitz's job change Wednesday at a press conference that was more of a roast by former players, coaches and executives. Horwitz has been with the team for nearly 40 years, and figures from throughout his tenure attended.Among them: Darryl Strawberry, Dwight Gooden, Mookie Wilson, Keith Hernandez, John Franco, Joe Torre, Terry Collins, Steve Phillips and Omar Minaya. A number of current Mets also attended, including captain David Wright.Horwitz will work in his new role to aid next season's 50-year anniversary of the Mets 1969 World Series championship, and also on further connecting the club's alumni.The 73-year-old Horwitz has been beloved by players for his bumbling but loyal personality. %href_on(file:

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Mets are transferring longtime media relations boss Jay Horwitz to a new role as vice president of alumni public relations and team historian.Mets chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon announced Horwitz's job change Wednesday at a press conference that was more of a roast by former players, coaches and executives. Horwitz has been with the team for nearly 40 years, and figures from throughout his tenure attended.Among them: Darryl Strawberry, Dwight Gooden, Mookie Wilson, Keith Hernandez, John Franco, Joe Torre, Terry Collins, Steve Phillips and Omar Minaya. A number of current Mets also attended, including captain David Wright.Horwitz will work in his new role to aid next season's 50-year anniversary of the Mets 1969 World Series championship, and also on further connecting the club's alumni.The 73-year-old Horwitz has been beloved by players for his bumbling but loyal personality. %href_on(file:

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Mets are transferring longtime media relations boss Jay Horwitz to a new role as vice president of alumni public relations and team historian.Mets chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon announced Horwitz's job change Wednesday at a press conference that was more of a roast by former players, coaches and executives. Horwitz has been with the team for nearly 40 years, and figures from throughout his tenure attended.Among them: Darryl Strawberry, Dwight Gooden, Mookie Wilson, Keith Hernandez, John Franco, Joe Torre, Terry Collins, Steve Phillips and Omar Minaya. A number of current Mets also attended, including captain David Wright.Horwitz will work in his new role to aid next season's 50-year anniversary of the Mets 1969 World Series championship, and also on further connecting the club's alumni.The 73-year-old Horwitz has been beloved by players for his bumbling but loyal personality. %href_on(file:

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Mets are transferring longtime media relations boss Jay Horwitz to a new role as vice president of alumni public relations and team historian.Mets chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon announced Horwitz's job change Wednesday at a press conference that was more of a roast by former players, coaches and executives. Horwitz has been with the team for nearly 40 years, and figures from throughout his tenure attended.Among them: Darryl Strawberry, Dwight Gooden, Mookie Wilson, Keith Hernandez, John Franco, Joe Torre, Terry Collins, Steve Phillips and Omar Minaya. A number of current Mets also attended, including captain David Wright.Horwitz will work in his new role to aid next season's 50-year anniversary of the Mets 1969 World Series championship, and also on further connecting the club's alumni.The 73-year-old Horwitz has been beloved by players for his bumbling but loyal personality. %href_on(file:

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Mets are transferring longtime media relations boss Jay Horwitz to a new role as vice president of alumni public relations and team historian.Mets chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon announced Horwitz's job change Wednesday at a press conference that was more of a roast by former players, coaches and executives. Horwitz has been with the team for nearly 40 years, and figures from throughout his tenure attended.Among them: Darryl Strawberry, Dwight Gooden, Mookie Wilson, Keith Hernandez, John Franco, Joe Torre, Terry Collins, Steve Phillips and Omar Minaya. A number of current Mets also attended, including captain David Wright.Horwitz will work in his new role to aid next season's 50-year anniversary of the Mets 1969 World Series championship, and also on further connecting the club's alumni.The 73-year-old Horwitz has been beloved by players for his bumbling but loyal personality. %href_on(file:

NEW YORK (AP) — David Wright took live batting practice Tuesday at Citi Field as the New York Mets captain tries to complete his comeback from a string of debilitating injuries.The third baseman originally was scheduled to play defense in a simulated game as well, but those plans were scrapped on a drizzly afternoon because the infield was wet and muddy.Wright faced Mets minor league pitching prospects Justin Dunn and David Peterson, simulating game at-bats for the second time in four days. The seven-time All-Star did similar work Saturday, also taking grounders on the field."I'm really excited and I'm really satisfied with how these two simulated games went," Wright said. "Took some good swings, took some bad swings."The 35-year-old Wright said he's still trying to regain his timing, and he'll need to see how he feels Wednesday before looking ahead to the next step."It's getting a little better," Wright said. "I'm still fouling a lot of pitches off, which for me at least in my mind tells... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — David Wright took live batting practice Tuesday at Citi Field as the New York Mets captain tries to complete his comeback from a string of debilitating injuries.The third baseman originally was scheduled to play defense in a simulated game as well, but those plans were scrapped on a drizzly afternoon because the infield was muddy.Wright faced Mets minor league pitching prospects Justin Dunn and David Peterson, simulating game at-bats for the second time in four days. The seven-time All-Star did similar work Saturday, also taking grounders on the field.The 35-year-old Wright says he's still trying to regain his timing, and he'll need to see how he feels Wednesday before looking ahead to the next step.Wright hasn't played in the major leagues since May 2016 due to neck, back and shoulder injuries that required surgery.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Mets captain David Wright believes he will return to the New York Mets this season.The 35-year-old third baseman participated in a simulated game before Saturday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies. He faced Anthony Swarzak and Tim Peterson and hit an opposite-field homer to right-center off Peterson for his only hit.Wright has not played in a major league game since May 27, 2016, because of neck, back and shoulder injuries that required surgery."I think so," Wright said when asked if he thought the Mets would clear him to play this year. "The communication has been fantastic."Wright hit .171 with two RBIs in 41 at-bats during 12 games of a minor league injury rehabilitation assignment from Aug. 12-29."Where he got to at the end of the 20 days was not where we thought he needed to be," Mets assistant general manager John Ricco said Friday. "Honestly, it does get more difficult to foresee a situation where he could come back to that level."Wright intends to have another... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:THE SHO GOES ONShohei Ohtani doesn't need two good elbows to help the Angels. Doctors this week recommended the two-way rookie sensation have Tommy John surgery on his right pitching elbow, but Ohtani has been crushing it at the plate, hitting four homers in his past three games. Ohtani has 19 home runs and leads all rookies with a .579 slugging percentage, and he says he'll keep hitting through the end of the season before deciding whether to have surgery that would keep him off the mound until 2020. The Angels will face White Sox veteran James Shields.NEW BREWGio Gonzalez is set to make his first start with the Brewers against the Giants. The left-hander was acquired from the Nationals a week ago. He had lost three of his final four starts with Washington while posting an 8.71 ERA, but Milwaukee is hoping he can help the team's postseason push.BUCK UPClay Buchholz's resurgent season keeps getting better, a trend Arizona hopes he extends... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Saturday:THE SHO GOES ONShohei Ohtani doesn't need two good elbows to help the Angels. Doctors this week recommended the two-way rookie sensation have Tommy John surgery on his right pitching elbow, but Ohtani has been crushing it at the plate, hitting four homers in his past three games. Ohtani has 19 home runs and leads all rookies with a .579 slugging percentage, and he says he'll keep hitting through the end of the season before deciding whether to have surgery that would keep him off the mound until 2020. The Angels will face White Sox veteran James Shields.NEW BREWGio Gonzalez is set to make his first start with the Brewers against the Giants. The left-hander was acquired from the Nationals a week ago. He had lost three of his final four starts with Washington while posting an 8.71 ERA, but Milwaukee is hoping he can help the team's postseason push.BUCK UPClay Buchholz's resurgent season keeps getting better, a trend Arizona hopes he extends... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — David Wright is scheduled to participate in a simulated game Saturday at Citi Field, the next step for the New York Mets' captain as he tries to make a major league comeback from neck, back and shoulder injuries.The third baseman hasn't played in the big leagues since May 2016. He batted a combined .171 (7 for 41) with one double in 10 games for Class A St. Lucie and two with Triple-A Las Vegas last month before his rehab assignment expired on the final day of August."Where he got to at the end of the 20 days was not where we thought he needed to be," Mets assistant general manager John Ricco said Friday. "Honestly, it does get more difficult to foresee a situation where he could come back to that level."Right-handed reliever Anthony Swarzak, on the disabled list with shoulder inflammation, will be among the pitchers to face Wright in the simulated game."We're going to put him through the grinder a little bit and we're going to get to see exactly where he's at. And more... [More]