Adam Rubin, ESPN Staff Writer 11y

Hope fading for Murph; Wright runs

JUPITER, Fla. -- Terry Collins recently predicted that if Daniel Murphy did not enter a game by this weekend, it was virtually impossible for him to be ready by Opening Day.

Well, Collins said Murphy is not ready to enter a game Saturday. And it's becoming more likely Murphy opens the season on the disabled list than at second base at Citi Field on April 1.

Murphy played five innings in the field a week ago in a minor league game, but has not reentered a game since because stiffness surfaced. He has not had any spring-training at-bats. Murphy originally received a cortisone injection on his right side on Feb. 19 in New York for a strained intercostal muscle.

Collins said that Murphy did take batting practice Friday.

“We had a conversation this morning," the manager added. "He said, ‘I’ll be ready by Opening Day.’ I said, ‘Well, let’s talk about that next Wednesday or Thursday.’”

If Murphy were to land on the DL, he would only be required to miss the first five games of the season because of backdating rules, as long as he does not appear in a Grapefruit League game.

Meanwhile, the news on David Wright was somewhat more upbeat. For the first time since receiving a cortisone shot a week ago for an intercostal strain on his left side, Wright ran and fielded some grounders. He did not attempt to swing a bat.

"All good signs so far," Collins said. "He didn’t swing, but played catch. He said he felt good."

Justin Turner (ankle) and Kirk Nieuwenhuis (knee) both played in minor league games, including in the field for the first time. Turner manned third base in a Class A game.

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