Collins worried David Wright might go on disabled list

NEW YORK (AP) Mets captain David Wright has a herniated disk in his neck and could be headed to the disabled list.

The third baseman missed his third straight game Monday and said he will be examined by a specialist on Tuesday. He had an MRI and took oral anti-inflammatory medicine over the weekend.

''It's been slight, but at least there's been a little bit of relief the last couple of days,'' said Wright, who is having trouble turning his head. ''I've got my fingers crossed that this medication kicks in a little bit.''

Now 33, Wright was on the disabled list from April 15 to Aug. 24 last year when he strained his right hamstring and then developed spinal stenosis. He has a lengthy physical therapy routine he must go through before each game.

''With the condition he's been playing in and the condition he's in right now, yeah, I'm concerned about it,'' Mets manager Terry Collins said.

Wright homered in three straight games last week before getting hurt. He is batting .226 with seven homers, 14 RBIs and 55 strikeouts in 137 at-bats.

''There are some other steps that we could take as far as medication goes,'' Wright said. ''I know it's a struggle for Terry and everybody to keep playing short.''

Wright plans to ask the specialist whether the neck injury is linked to his back problem.

''It's frustrating to have to sit there and watch the guys go out there. It's frustrating that it's something else that I have to worry about other than my back,'' he said.