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Wagner Out, May Miss 2009

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The Associated Press

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 9, 2008

NEW YORK - Billy Wagner is out for the rest of this season and likely all of next.

The Mets closer will have surgery after an MRI on Monday showed a torn medial collateral ligament in his pitching elbow has gotten worse during more than a month of rehabilitation. His injury could send the Mets into the free-agent market for a top reliever this winter, perhaps prompting them to pursue Francisco Rodriguez.

"It does change your thinking," General Manager Omar Minaya said. "Any guy that we run out there is not going to be a proven guy. So, you know, until you have a proven guy, you can't say you're comfortable."

A five-time All-Star, Wagner also has a torn flexor pronator, which is a muscle in the forearm. When he tested his arm Sunday at Shea Stadium by facing teammate Gustavo Molina, Wagner hit the reserve catcher on the left foot with his 13th pitch, then walked off the field.

"The tear is now big enough that the doctors are recommending so-called Tommy John surgery," Minaya said. "If all goes well, he will be able to return to pitch in about a year's time following the surgery."

PIRATES: Shortstop Jack Wilson likely will miss the remainder of the season because of a hairline fracture in his right index finger.

The Pirates on Monday said Wilson will not be placed on the disabled list and they hope he could be available late in the season as a pinch-hitter or pinch-runner.

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