Wright mulling neck surgery for herniated disk

The New York Mets could soon find out the fate of their captain, David Wright, who's nearing a decision on whether to undergo surgery to replace a herniated disk in his neck.

The procedure, according to MLB.com's Anthony DiComo, requires a recovery time of at least three months and would put Wright's season in serious jeopardy. The veteran third baseman has been sidelined since May 27 after complaining of persistent pain in his neck. One week later, the 33-year-old was diagnosed with the herniated disk, and prescribed six-to-eight weeks of rest before resuming baseball activities.

On Tuesday, Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said Wright was still discussing his options with a medical team that includes Dr. Robert Watkins, the back specialist who presided over Wright's rehab from spinal stenosis last summer. A decision on whether Wright will opt for surgery or rehab is expected by the end of the week.

"I always prefer certainty over uncertainty, so having some resolution will be helpful," Alderson told MLB.com. "False hope is never useful, or not often useful. We like to be pragmatic."

Last month, manager Terry Collins said Wright's herniated disk is similar to the one suffered by Bobby Parnell a few seasons ago, one that eventually required surgery for the Mets' former reliever.

Wright was limited to just 38 regular-season games in 2015 because of his ailing back, and labored through a frustrating start to the season that required regular off-days and adjustments to his approach at the plate. Though he managed a .788 OPS with seven homers and 0.5 WAR in 37 games, Wright's neck started bothering him toward the end of May, prompting a pain-killing injection and his subsequent trip the disabled list.