Wagner done?

[deuceswild 15]

NEW YORK (AP) — New York Mets closer Billy Wagner needs elbow surgery that likely will sideline him through the 2009 season.

 

The five-time All-Star has been out since Aug. 3 and the Mets said Monday that he has a torn medial collateral ligament in his left elbow and a torn flexor pronator, which is a muscle in the forearm. The 37-year-old left-hander will have surgery later this week.

 

“The tear is now big enough that the doctors are recommending so-called Tommy John surgery,†Mets general manager Omar Minaya said.

 

When the Mets first put Wagner on the disabled list on Aug. 5, they announced his injury as a strained left forearm. Minaya said Monday that an MRI that day revealed the tear but that Wagner and the team thought there was a chance he could pitch through it.

 

“There’s a lot of guys that pitch with tears, especially when you’re 37 years old,†Minaya said before adding, “surgery was always a possibility in case things did not get better.â€

 

Wagner is owed $10.5 million next year, the final guaranteed season in $43 million, four-year contract with the Mets, and the team holds an $8 million option for 2010 with a $1 million buyout. Minaya thought there was a chance Wagner could return next September.

 

While Wagner has repeatedly said he intended to retire when this contract concludes, Minaya wasn’t certain that would be the case.

 

“I think if he wants to pitch, he will have the opportunity to pitch,†Minaya said.

 

New York began Monday with a two-game lead over Philadelphia in the NL East. The Mets are 22-11 in Wagner’s absence. Luis Ayala, acquired from Washington last month in a trade, is 5-for-6 in save opportunities for the Mets.

 

Ayala allowed an unearned run in the ninth Sunday night. Before that, Mets relievers had not allowed a run in 23 innings since Aug. 31.

 

“Any guy that we run out there is not going to be a proven guy,†Minaya said.

 

Wagner’s injury could cause the Mets to seek a closer on the free-agent market. Francisco Rodriguez, with 55 saves for the Los Angeles Angels, would be the most attractive and costly option.

 

Wearing a protective sleeve on his left elbow, Wagner tested his arm Sunday with disappointing results. Between games of a day-night doubleheader against the Phillies, he went to the mound in a virtually empty Shea Stadium and faced teammate Gustavo Molina.

 

A wild Wagner hit the reserve catcher on the left foot with his 13th pitch and walked off the field to consult with a trainer and the Mets’ coaching staff. Wagner was 0-1 with a 2.30 ERA and 27 saves in 34 chances. He is sixth on the career saves list with 385.

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Is he done in New York?-YES

Is he done pitching in general?-NO

 

Someone will take a shot on him in 2010, unless Wagner walks away on his own beforehand.

[GmanFan 21]

Generally speaking, pitchers tend to come back after Tommy John surgery as strong if not stronger than before. Knowing how hard he trains, I would expect he would do the same in rehab. If he chooses to continue pitching, he will be be the same dominant pitcher he has always been. I wish him the best, and I hope we have not seen the last of him. I would certainly enjoy seeing him chase a World Series ring, and continue to build on his Hall-of-Fame career.

[Guest BEAVERTAIL]

I actually met billy at a dinner at the elks, and had the pleasure to sit right beside him.

 

What he told me was the only thing he is pursuing now is a ring. after that, he is done. But this new injury throws a new scenario into the mix.

[bhs7695 185]

What a phenom he was at Tazewell. I hate he has this injury.