Mets: David Wright Injures Shoulder, Fantasy Impact

By Bill Pivetz | Mar 3, 2017

May 25, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; New York Mets third baseman David Wright (5) stands in the dugout against the Washington Nationals in the first inning at Nationals Park. The Mets won 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

Mets veteran third baseman David Wright injured his shoulder earlier this week. With no timetable for his return, the Mets have some shifting to do.

After all of the injuries the New York Mets faced last season, the team was hoping to enter 2017 with a clean bill of health. Unfortunately, that won’t be the case as third baseman David Wright has been shut down indefinitely with a shoulder injury. While he wasn’t highly ranked, this still has a fantasy impact.

Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News first reported the shoulder injury. Wright got a second opinion and confirmed it is a shoulder impingement. Ackerts’ colleague Evan Grossman spoke to Dr. Armin Tehrany, a shoulder and knee expert, and he said this injury is serious, especially for 34-year-old Wright.

Wright has played in just 75 games over the last two seasons. He’s dealt with neck and spine issues in that span. He is no longer a third baseman you can rely on in fantasy baseball.

More from Fantasy Baseball

Jose Reyes will slot over to the hot corner. Wilmer Flores will spell him for a day or two. Reyes spent the majority of his time with the Mets at third base and hit well. Asdrubal Cabrera now has shortstop all to himself.

Reyes isn’t going to steal 60 bases anymore but he displayed some power in the second half. In his 60 games with the Mets, Reyes hit eight home runs, 24 RBI, and .267. If you stretch that out over 145 games, he projects to hit 19 homers and 58 RBI at the same pace.

Reyes did not play 20 games at shortstop last season, the required number of games to earn eligibility in most leagues, so he will be third base only. This hinders his fantasy value a bit. He ranks outside my top 20 at the position.

MLB Trade Rumors talked about another injured infielder, adding to this mess.

"First baseman Lucas Duda received cortisone injections in both hips after being slowed by pain early this spring. As a result, Reyes, Flores and even T.J. Rivera could be in line for bigger roles this season."

Back to Wright, there is a silver lining here. He will be able to continue to hit in a batting cage while his shoulder recovers. If only the Mets played in the American League, Wright could be the team’s DH and still have some fantasy relevance.

Next: Red Sox: David Price Injury Concerns

Wright wasn’t a player most fantasy owners were drafting, so this isn’t impactful fantasy news. However, if Wright would have stayed healthy, he could have been a nice sleeper pick. Reyes will get a boost now that he’s taking over, but still a bench or corner infield option in deep leagues.

Home/Fantasy Baseball