Updated: May 16, 2011, 4:34 PM ET
David Wright has stress fracture

By Adam Rubin
ESPNNewYork.com

NEW YORK -- New York Mets third baseman David Wright has a stress fracture in his lower back, general manager Sandy Alderson said.

Wright had an MRI on his ailing back Monday at the Hospital for Special Surgery.

"I was shocked by it," manager Terry Collins said about the diagnosis. "... He is without a question the face of this team. His presence in this lineup is something we need. We're going to ask other guys to pick it up as of today. But I was shocked and unhappy."

The Mets believe the injury originally occurred April 19 while Wright tried to make a diving tag on Houston's Carlos Lee at third base at Citi Field.

Wright said if the risk of worsening the injury did not exist, he might attempt to pain through it. Still, he indicated stiffness the first week has turned to localized pain.

"I knew I did it on the Carlos Lee play at third base," Wright said. "We were playing Houston at home. I don't know what the date was. About the first week, I felt stiff and sore, but I felt that would go away the next couple of weeks. I was on some medication and some anti-inflammatories that really wasn't doing much. That explains it now, because it's not a muscular thing.

"It's what could be a stress fracture. ... It's probably me somewhat being stubborn and not getting it checked out earlier. I don't think it really limited me too much or prohibited me from doing anything. It was just a little uncomfortable."

Alderson said the team will get a second opinion from another back specialist at the team's hospital before committing to the disabled list. If the diagnosis holds, Alderson said Wright will rest for 10 days, then can resume baseball activities. Surgery will not be required, according to the GM.

"It would be a nonsurgical course of treatment," Alderson said. "According to the information we have now, it would be rest for the next 10 days or so, with a return to baseball activity [afterward]. We're not talking about something long term, but we are talking about something that may require him to rest for a period of time.

"David himself was surprised by it."

Wright has been on the DL only once in his career, after getting beaned by San Francisco's Matt Cain in 2009.

"I don't think anyone is concerned with feeling sorry for ourselves," Wright said.

As for Monday's game against the Marlins, Willie Harris will play third base.

Adam Rubin covers the Mets for ESPNNewYork.com.

Follow Adam Rubin on Twitter: @AdamRubinESPN

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