Mets skipper denies squabbling with Wright

David Wright, the New York Mets' ailing third baseman, appeared furious with Terry Collins after he was scratched late Tuesday to rest his troublesome back, but the manager stressed Wednesday - after the 33-year-old went 0-for-4 in his return to the lineup - he never squabbled with the seven-time All-Star.

In fact, Collins said, things are just peachy between him and Wright.

"My relationship with David Wright is the best I've ever had with any player," Collins told MLB.com's Anthony DiComo. "So believe me, no problems. … There was no argument. There was no tiff. My star player wanted to play, and he was hurting. The discussion was, 'I know you want to play.' I know the situation - big game, big series, the captain, I get it. But I have a responsibility to David Wright, to the other 24 guys in the clubhouse and myself. I said, 'I just can't let you play.'"

Though Wright was able to return to the field after just a one-day absence, Collins will likely have to monitor the veteran's condition closely all year in his first full season since being diagnosed with spinal stenosis.

"He is extremely proud," Collins said. "He wants to play. He knows who he is and what he does for this organization, and he wants to be on the field. He thinks that's the way for him to lead. And I understand that. I totally get that. But I will tell you, when you sit and talk to him, you'll sense the frustration."

Wright, who is striking out at an unprecedented rate (33.8 percent) despite a far more discriminate approach at the plate, was forthright about his frustration after fanning three times Wednesday against the Washington Nationals, which dropped his batting average to a career-low .221 through 31 games.

"The back thing is just something that I'm going to have to get used to because it's not changing," Wright told ESPN's Adam Rubin. "But I feel like I can play at a much higher level than I'm playing at right now. I think that there are certainly some things I'm having to make adjustments with as far as preparation, as far as playing schedule, that I'm going to have to get used to. But when I go take the field I expect to play much better than I am right now."