Mets' Duda received cortisone injections in both hips

The New York Mets could be without Lucas Duda for a little while longer.

After being unable to take the field for three straight days for the Mets in spring training, manager Terry Collins revealed to reporters Saturday that Duda needed to receive two cortisone injections - one on each side of his hip - due to early issues also related to his back Friday, according to Kristie Ackert of the Daily News.

"Lucas is not ready to play, in my opinion. Yesterday he had two injections, in each hip, they need 48 hours to let that medicine to take effect," Collins said. "We're hoping in a couple days he'll be ready to resume activities.

Duda's absence is already muffling plans for the Mets' infield situation. Currently projected to be the club's starting first baseman, Duda also missed 107 games last season with a fracture in his back, and has been replaced at first so far in spring training by Wilmer Flores.

According to Ackert, Collins has also spoken to right fielder Jay Bruce about filling in at the infield corner, while the club is also prepping former All-Star David Wright for the role.

Wright, however, is still recovering from neck surgery in June and has only been focused this spring on readjusting to the basics.

"It's almost re-learning how to throw. It's drills I haven't done since I was 8 years old. It's mechanics and trying to get my arm in the right slot," Wright said. "The effects of the surgery has taken up to this point a little longer, because you are really having to re-teach your body how to throw. That's the area that was affected from the surgery, the neck and shoulder area.

"It's challenging. That's for certain. I have some great coaches over there simplifying things to the max and just allowing the kind of the process to take place."