Tag: Billy Wagner

Mets Wagner To Have Season Ending Surgery

GM Omar Minaya told the media today that closer Billy Wagner is scheduled to have season ending Tommy John surgery this week. He’s got a torn medial collateral ligament in his left elbow and a torn flexor pronator in his left forearm. What a mess…

Wagner may be ready to pitch again next September, the last season in his contract with the Mets. He’s repeatedly said that the end of this contract will be when he retires. So we very well may have seen the last of Billy Wagner on the baseball field.

This is a huge hit to the 2008 Mets and their playoff aspirations. If the Mets can get through one round of the playoffs without a closer it’ll be a miracle. I mention that because I think the Mets will make the playoffs. But matching up against the top teams in October without a closer is an ominous prospect. Chime in below in the comments.

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Billy Wagner Suffers Setback During Workout

Injured Mets closer Billy Wagner suffered another setback in his comeback bid from elbow inflammation. GM Omar Minaya told reporters before tonight’s game that Wagner cut his workout short to only 12 pitches after feeling discomfort in his pitching elbow.

At this late stage of the season the Mets need to start thinking that they may not have Wagner back at all. I’m certainly not looking forward to seeing Luis Ayala closing games at the end of September and beyond. But that’s the reality starting to sink into my mind.

Mets Wagner Preps For Return

Billy Wagner threw 32 pitches in a bullpen session yesterday and his injured left elbow felt fine after the workout. The plan is for Wagner to pitch in a rehab game as early as Sunday in Brooklyn. The Cyclones last game of the season is today but a rainout is likely. So Wagner will probably be able to pitch there tomorrow.

Wagner is attempting to return from inflammation in his left elbow that’s kept him from pitching since August 2nd.

Manager Jerry Manuel told reporters that Wagner may not return immediately as the Mets closer. Personally, I think that’s ridiculous unless Wagner is still rehabbing on the job. Nobody in the Mets bullpen is close to the type of pitcher that Wagner is. If he does pitch some middle innings, it won’t last long. He’ll be back closing in no time.

Billy Wagner Still Hurt; Return Unknown

The Mets got the news that Billy Wagner still has pain and swelling in his left elbow after being examined in New York. His return is unknown and there’s early speculation that he may not be back this season at all.

Wagner’s had a checkered record this season but he’s the only legitimate closer on the team. There isn’t a back up eighth inning guy that can walk in and take his place.

This could be a huge blow to the Mets playoff hopes if he can’t come back this season. Omar Minaya needs to work the phones for a waiver deal to see if he can work a team that’s out of contention for a legitimate closer.

The Mets did make a deal with Washington last week for Luis Ayala but he’s not the solution to this problem. Ambirorix Burgos is working his way back from Tommy John surgery and may be able to get on the roster by the end of August or September. But who knows what we’ll get out of him this season?

Mets Injury Updates- Wagner and Church

NEW YORK - MAY 13: Ryan Church #19 of the New...

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Billy Wagner pitched a simulated game in Pittsburgh on Saturday. He’s attempting to return from a stint on the disabled list for a problem with his left forearm. But he suffered a setback when his left elbow felt sore. He’ll return to New York today to be examined by the Mets medical staff. Obviously, he won’t come off the disabled list as planned tomorrow.

The Wagner setback leaves us crossing our fingers, holding our breath, or covering our eyes at the end of games into this week. As many saves as Wagner has blown this season, it’s still difficult to watch the patchwork bullpen working through close games in late inning situations.

Ryan Church was the designated hitter yesterday in the Gulf Coast League. He’ll return to New York to play with Brooklyn or Binghamton as inclement weather is expected in Florida. The Mets want him to keep playing games as much as possible. His next step is to play right field in a game tomorrow.

I’m still surprised that the Fernando Tatis and rookie platoon in left field has gone as well as it has since Church went on the disabled list.

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