Mets' Wright to begin rehab assignment in High-A

Less than a week after suggesting a return to the New York Mets this season was still realistic, David Wright will begin a rehab assignment and act as the designated hitter Tuesday with their High-A affiliate, the St. Lucie Mets.

Wright has been sidelined since May 27, 2016 with back and shoulder injuries. The 34-year-old third baseman was diagnosed with spinal stenosis two months into the 2015 campaign. Most recently, Wright has been on the disabled list with a shoulder impingement.

After playing 69 games in his rookie season, Wright averaged nearly 144 games in the subsequent 10 seasons from 2005-2014, appearing in seven All-Star games. Since then, however, the player affectionately referred to as Captain America has played in just 75 games.

"This is probably a condition that needs to be managed, rather than cured or corrected," Mets general manager Sandy Alderson told Anthony DiComo of MLB.com on Wednesday regarding Wright's health conditions. "I know he wants to be back on the field before the end of the seasons. We'll see what happens."

Acting as the DH in High-A, Wright will join the roster where Tim Tebow is also stationed. In 52 games with the St. Lucie Mets this year, Tebow has been the designated hitter in 20.