David Wright makes his first appearance on Mets since 2016 as a batter

David Wright made his first major league appearance for the New York Mets since 2016, appearing as a precision hitter Friday night in New York.

Wright made the first pitch against Jose Urena, the Miami Marlins pitcher, and sank to third base in the fifth inning.

He received a standing ovation at Citi Field, with his wife and two young daughters in the stands. Captain des Mets returned to the canoe with a big smile. He was very strong and kissed many of his teammates.

"It was really amazing," Wright said. "I really did feel butterflies that I had never felt before."

The Mets intend to bring Wright to third on Saturday in a sold-out match-up after the 35-year-old athlete's long way back after a series of serious injuries.

Wright was on deck when the last outing was made in the fourth inning, which prompted the crowd to boo aloud at the end of the round. He squeezed his staff and paced the canoe for most of the next half-race before throwing himself onto the field before the Marlins took their positions with a 3-1 lead in the fifth.

"I think he was excited, nervous," said Mickey Callaway, the Mets manager. "A really cool moment."

Wright has not played in major tournaments since May 27, 2016 because of injuries to the neck, back and shoulder that required surgery. He played 12 games with the miners in August before joining the Mets, who activated him from the list of disabled people on Tuesday.

Wright played his entire career with the Mets after selecting him with an additional pick in the first round of the 2001 draft.

He made his major league debut at the age of 21 in 2004, before being named to seven all-star games. He won two gold gloves and a pair of Silver Slugger medals in 2007 and 2008.

The information provided by the Associated Press has been used in this report.