Mets' Wright has stress fracture in back

NEW YORK, May 16 (UPI) -- New York Mets third baseman David Wright has a stress fracture in his lower back that could land him on the disabled list, the team said Monday.

The Mets said they will seek a second opinion before making a decision on whether to shelve Wright, adding that while surgery won't be necessary, several weeks of rest and rehabilitation will be needed.

Wright sustained the injury April 19 when he collided with Houston's Carlos Lee while trying to make a tag at third base.

Wright, 28, has had an uncharacteristically poor start at the plate for New York, batting only .226. But he told The New York Times he's not blaming the injury for that.

"I feel it, but that's no excuse," he said. "It's no excuse for going out there and getting off to a slow start because I thought I could play through it."

It was more bad injury news for the struggling Mets. First baseman Ike Davis is out with an ankle sprain and bone bruise, and ace pitcher Johan Santana won't play until midseason while recovering from shoulder surgery.