Wright's playing career probably over after final homestand

It looks like the end of an era in Queens.

New York Mets third baseman David Wright announced Thursday afternoon that his playing career is likely over after the team's final homestand, citing health reasons.

"Physically, and the way I feel right now, and from what the doctors have told me, there's not going to be any improvement," Wright said. "I don't see (continuing) as a possibility."

The team said Wright will be activated for the homestand, which begins Sept. 25, and will make his final start at third base Sept. 29 against the Miami Marlins.

An emotional Wright did not technically announce his retirement, but said he is medically unfit to continue playing after his final start. Injuries to his shoulder, back, and neck have prevented him from playing since May 2016.

He characterized his rehab as a near-constant struggle.

"I would say once I started ramping up, and definitely in the games, is when physically I knew that I couldn't do it. For me to play back-to-back games, it was just survival mode," Wright explained.

He opened Thursday's press conference with a joke, laughing as he said, "This kind of caught me off guard - I thought we were going to announce an extension today."

Wright, a seven-time All-Star, spent the entirety of his 13-year career with the Mets, posting a cumulative slash line of .296/.376/.491 (112 OPS+) with 242 home runs, 390 doubles, and 196 stolen bases. While reflecting on the decision, Wright spoke highly of the organization and the opportunity to put on the uniform for the duration of his professional career.

"I said it when I was a younger player, and I'll say it again: I truly bleed orange and blue," Wright said. "And, throughout this process, the love and the support and the respect from inside and outside the organization has meant the world to me."