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| Contradicting earlier reports, Billy Wagner's agent has told Fox Sports that Wagner has no intention of retiring. |
Our View: Following his effective pitching down the stretch, pitching that came after an incredibly lengthy injury rehab, coupled with the fact that he is closing in on 400 career saves, reports that Wagner would retire never really seemed to make sense. Expect him to be in the back end of somebody's bullpen in 2010, probably as a closer.
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| Billy Wagner told the New York Post that he plans to retire this winter. Wagner said he will not cantact any teams this offseason and that he has nothing else to accomplish. |
Our View: If Wagner is done, his career is very, very good. He had dominating stuff for a long time, and he was one of the more feared closers in the game for much of his career. He will be missed from the game.
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| Billy Wagner says that he now believes his surgically repaired pitching elbow can handle pitching on back-to-back days, according to the Boston Globe. |
Our View: He has yet to do so in 11 appearances this season. Amazingly, at age 38 and coming off Tommy John surgery, he is 1-1 with a 1.74 ERA in 10.1 innings this season. His strikeout-to-walk ratio is better than 4-to-1.
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| Sports Illustrated's Jon Heyman reports (via SNY) that the Boston Red Sox have acquired left-handed reliever Billy Wagner from the Mets for two players to be named later. |
Our View: It was revealed earlier in the day that Wagner can only pitch every three days in the current stage of his rehab from elbow surgery. That, coupled with the fact that the Red Sox already have a dominant lefty specialist in Hideki Okajima, makes his fantasy value about zero in leagues with holds and middle relievers.
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| ESPN.com reports that Billy Wagner's agent told 1050 ESPN New York that his client can only pitch once every three days and will not be fully available until 14 months after the date of his surgery. Wagner is currently in his 11th month of rehab. |
Our View: Wagner has looked pretty good in his first two appearances since returning from the DL. He has until 1:30 today to work out a deal with the Red Sox, who claimed him off of waivers.
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| The Boston Globe reports that reliever Billy Wagner is still in talks with the Red Sox and is considering accepting a deal to join the team by the 1:30 deadline on Tuesday. |
Our View: The Red Sox waiver claim on Wagner expires today at 1:30. If Wagner wants to get involved in a pennant race, this is a no-brainer. He had previously denied a move to the Red Sox because of contractual issues.
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| Mets' reliever Billy Wagner was impressive once again on Monday. Wagner threw one inning against the Phillies and did not allow a hit while walking one and striking out two. |
Our View: Wagner has four strikeouts and has only allowed one baserunner in his two innings of work, and he may have silenced those who believe he is still hurt with his performance today. The trade talks with the Red Sox look to be stalling, but a performance like this may force the Sox to give him more consideration.
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| The Boston Globe is reporting that the Red Sox have hit a snag in their negotiations to acquire Mets' reliever Billy Wagner. Wagner does not want the Sox to pick up his $8 million option for 2010 and he also doesn't want the team to offer him arbitration, thus allowing him to sign wherever he chooses next season. |
Our View: It sounds like the Sox are balking at Wagner's demands, so this thing could be in real trouble. The two sides have until tomorrow to work things out, but what once looked like a slam dunk is far from it at this point. We will keep you updated on the negotiations over the next two days.
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| Billy Wagner has said he would be willing to waive his no-trade clause to play for the Boston Red Sox, who have claimed him off waivers, according to the Boston Herald. |
Our View: Wagner has said his main concern is pitching for a winner. In his season debut on Thursday, the hard-throwing lefty his 96 MPH on the radar gun while striking out two of the three batters he faced.
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| According to FOXsports.com, the Red Sox have claimed Mets reliever Billy Wagner off waivers. |
Our View: The Mets have three options moving forward. They can either make a trade with the Red Sox by noon on Tuesday, allow Wagner to depart on the claim or they can pull him back off waivers. If he sticks in Boston he'll likely work the eighth inning ahead of closer Jonathan Papelbon.
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| Billy Wagner has been claimed off waivers by an unnamed team, according to the Twitter page of SI writer Jon Heyman. The Mets have three days to work out a deal with the claiming team. |
Our View: This shouldn't surprise anyone after the way Wagner pitched last night. He was consistently in the mid-90's with the fastball and he struck out two of the three batters he faced in his first game back. Look for something to get done soon, and we will update which team put the claim in when the news is released.
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| Billy Wagner struck out two in a scoreless inning of relief for the Mets on Thursday, hitting 96 MPH on the radar gun in his first major league appearance since August 2, 2008. |
Our View: Yep, he's back. The chances the Mets trade him are about 50/50 at the moment, and he has great value in leagues with middle relievers no matter which team he is on.
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| The recently activated Billy Wagner will be limited to 20 pitches if he pitches on Thursday night, according to Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post. |
Our View: It could be hard setting up closer Frankie Rodriguez with just 20 pitches. With the Mets likely to continue strong ration his pitches, Wagner's value is very limited in league with middle relievers for the moment.
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| Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post reports via Twitter that the Mets have activated former closer Billy Wagner from the 60-day disabled list. |
Our View: Wagner will step in for injured setup man J.J. Putz and take over the eighth inning role in front of Frankie Rodriguez. The Mets still plan to try and deal Wagner before the season is over after showcasing him a bit. Don't be surprised if teams in need of a closer come calling.
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| The New York Mets have placed reliever Billy Wagner on waivers, according to ESPN.com. Wagner will clear waivers at 1 p.m. EST on Friday if he is not claimed. |
Our View: Wagner is unlikely to be claimed due to his contract, so he will be eligible to be traded on Friday if he does clear waivers. Wagner is scheduled to be activated on Thursday or Friday, so he could be moved as soon as this weekend.
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| The New York Daily News is reporting that the Mets may activate reliever Billy Wagner on Thursday. Wagner is returning from Tommy John surgery. |
Our View: It has been thought that Friday would be the day Wagner would return, but it looks like he could come back a day earlier. The Mets are going to try to showcase Wagner over the next few weeks in hopes of enticing a trade partner.
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| According to the Twitter page of The Sports Network baseball writer Chris Ruddick, the Chicago Cubs are talking to the Mets about the pollibility of acquiring former closer Billy Wagner. Wagner is coming off Tommy John surgery, and he is expected to be activated by Friday. |
Our View: With the recent struggles of closer Kevin Gregg and the inability of Carlos Marmol to throw strikes, Wagner would be a perfect fit in Chicago. He is a bit of an unknown at this point, but he is almost certainly a better option than Gregg. If Wagner would go to Chicago to close, he would instantly be a valuable fantasy piece and will fly off the free agent market.
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| Updating a previous report, Billy Wagner is indeed at Citi Field with the team, but will not be activated until Friday at the earliest, according to the New York Post's Bart Hubbuch. |
Our View: Wagner's recovery from Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery has gone quicker than anyone thought possible for a 38 year old (just 11 months), and he has apparently lost very little zip off of his famous fastball. He should make an excellent setup man for Francisco Rodriquez once he is activated.
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| Billy Wagner has been reported as being at Citi Field on Monday, and ready to rejoin the team, according to the New York Daily News. |
Our View: An activation appears to be imminent. He will immediately become Francisco Rodriguez's primary setup man, unless, of course, the Amazins trade him to a contender.
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| Billy Wagner is set to be activated for Sunday's game after throwing a scoreless inning at Single-A St. Lucie on Friday night, according to the New York Post. |
Our View: The long road back for Wagner is finally complete. He will almost assuredly serve as K-Rod's number one setup man, unless, of course, he gets traded.
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| According to the New York Daily News, Billy Wagner will make his final rehab appearance with Single-A St. Lucie on Friday night. |
Our View: Assuming Wagner doesn't re-injure himself in his final rehab outing he will rejoin the Mets bullpen on Sunday. He will obviously be a setup man behind K-Rod, but could be trade bait for a team in need of a closer the rest of the way. He may be a sneaky grab in keeper leagues right now. The Mets hold an $8 million, 2010 option on the hard-throwing lefty with a $1 million buyout, but it's highly unlikely they'll exercise it.
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| The New York Daily News is reporting that Mets' reliever Billy Wagner is expected to return from the DL on Sunday. Wagner has missed the entire season after undergoing left elbow surgery last year. |
Our View: Wagner has progressed more quickly than expected, and he has thrown five scoreless innings in his minor league rehab assignment thus far. He should immediately improve the Mets' bullpen, and he could also be auditioning for another job either for this season or next.
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| Mets' reliever Billy Wagner threw his fifth straight scoreless inning during his minor league rehab stint on Monday, according to MetsBlog.com. Wagner is expected to throw Wednesday and Thursday this week. |
Our View: Wagner has looked very solid so far, but it's hard to evaluate a guy pitching in Single-A. As Wagner progresses through his assignment, we should have a better idea of what he can bring to the table this season. Don't be shocked if the Mets try to move him through waivers, as they don't really need him with K-Rod in the picture.
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| According to the New York Daily News, Billy Wagner pitched another scoreless inning while rehabbing with Single-A St. Lucie. |
Our View: Wagner has now tossed four consecutive scoreless frames during his rehab and appears to be throwing well enough to pitch in the majors at some time this season. There is no real timetable for him, but he could draw interest from some contending teams that need help at the back end of their bullpen.
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| The New York Daily News is reporting that the Mets might be interested in trading reliever Billy Wagner if the team falls farther out of contention. Wagner is rehabbing with the team's Single-A club in St. Lucie. |
Our View: Wagner would likely clear waivers because of his lofty $10.5 million contract, and it would be a huge risk for any team to take on that kind of money for a guy coming off of a serious surgery like Wagner. Still, if teams get desperate down the stretch, it could happen, so stay tuned.
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| MetsBlog.com is reporting that Mets' reliever Billy Wagner threw another scoreless inning during his rehab assignment on Monday. Wagner is rehabbing after offseason surgery on his left elbow. |
Our View: Wagner has been lights out in his two rehab appearances so far, but the team is still moving forward slowly with him. He will work on this schedule for awhile until he moves to working back-to-back days. He should be able to contribute at some point for the Mets this season, but if the team continues to struggle they will surely be more cautious with him.
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| Billy Wagner tossed a hitless inning and struck out two batters for High-A St. Lucie on Friday night. It was his first rehab outing. He underwent Tommy John surgery last September. |
Our View: The Mets will surely take it slow with the former closer, and he has to work up to where he can appear on back-to-back games. Still, the reports continue to be positive, and it looks like he could return this August.
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| Billy Wagner will begin a minor league rehab assignment this Saturday, according to the New York Daily News. |
Our View: Wagner hasn't pitched since last September. He is reportedly hitting 94 MPH on the radar gun, but there is no set date for his return.
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| According to the New York Daily News, Mets' reliever Billy Wagner took a major step forward in his recovery from Tommy John surgery on Friday when he threw a two-inning, 40 pitch simulated game. Wagner underwent surgery last September, and the Mets are hoping he can pitch at some point this season. |
Our View: Wagner will need at least two more simulated games before he is ready for a rehab assignment, but all signs are looking good at this point. Since he is just a one inning guy, it will be easier for him to advance though the rehab quicker than a starter, as he won't have to build up quite the stamina. The Mets are set at closer for this season, but if Wagner does return he would take over eighth inning duties for the team.
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| Billy Wagner is set to face live batters "any day," according to the New York Daily News. |
Our View: Wagner still claims he could return to the team by mid-July, but most Mets officials believe August is more likely. He could serve as a setup man to Francisco Rodriguez when he comes back, and it is very possible that he will have some decent value in leagues that have middle relievers or holds. Keep him on your radar as a possible late season boost.
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| Billy Wagner is scheduled to face live batters sometime in the next two weeks and believes he could be pitching in the major leagues in the next 30 days according to the New York Daily News. |
Our View: Mets pitching coach Dan Warthen said that estimate is way too optimistic and that it is more likely Wagner will be back sometime in August. It's hard to doubt a man who taught himself how to pitch left-handed in high school after being a natural righty, though. Wagner should be able to fill the void at setup left by J.J. Putz's recent injury whenever he does return.
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| The Mets transferred injured reliever Billy Wagner from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day DL. |
Our View: The Mets needed to make room for new addition Pat Misch, who was claimed off waivers on Friday from the Giants.
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| Billy Wagner threw off a mound today for the first time since undergoing elbow ligament replacement surgery last September, according to Sports Illustrated. Wagner threw 10 pitches off flat ground, then threw a 23-pitch bullpen session off a mound to minor league catcher Juan Centeno. Mets' rehab coordintor Guy Conti said, "I have not seen him since the end of last season, so it is good to see him, and he is in tremendous shape. He looks good. He's really in good shape."
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Our View: This is encouraging news, and Wagner may be able to return in late-July or August, but his fantasy value will be limited with Francisco Rodriguez the Mets' closer and J.J. Putz the top setup man.
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| Billy Wagner, who is seven months removed from surgery to repair a ligament and a muscle in his left arm, is expected to throw off a mound next Tuesday in Port St. Lucie, Florida, according to MLB.com. Wagner has been throwing regularly and he said, "I do exactly what I am told. But I am going to break the rules by getting back before they expect it. With no big setbacks, I am kinda shooting for late in July or August. But we will see. I am going to get back. I am not going to get any saves. But I would like to help. That could be some bullpen."
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Our View: If Wagner is able to return in late-July or August, he would not hold much fantasy value as long as closer Francisco Rodriguez and setup man J.J. Putz stay healthy.
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| Billy Wagner has been shut down, accoring to the New York Daily News. Wagner was throwing at his Virginia home with hopes of returning to the Mets some time during the 2009 season, but the team put a hault to it due to concern over Wagner's surgically repaired elbow. |
Our View: Wagner has little value even if he returns, as K-Rod is the man in New York now.
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| The New York Daily News reports that the Mets have informed Billy Wagner that they will not pick up his 2010 option after undergoing Tommy John surgery on Thursday. |
Our View: Apparently Wagner is only interested in closing when he returns so it's likely the Mets will make a move to replace him this offseason (K-Rod?). The 37-year-old lefty will face plenty of doubts upon his return, but may have another one or two years left in his tank. In 45 games this season, he recorded 27 saves with a 2.30 ERA and a 0.89 WHIP.
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| Billy Wagner underwent Tommy John surgery on Thursday at the Hospital for Special Surgery, according to the NY Daily News. The operation was performed by team doctors David Altchek and Struan Coleman. |
Our View: Wagner faces a 12-month recovery time. While not completely ruling out a return in September 2009, Wagner appears to be targeting the 2010 campaign. It remains to be seen if the club will target a top free agent closer in the off-season, such as Francisco Rodriguez of the Angels.
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| The Mets insurance policy on Billy Wagner will not be activated this off-season despite the fact that he will likely miss most of the season because of his injured elbow, according to the New York Times. |
Our View: Two things come out of this. First, Wagner will be eligible to pitch next season (if the Mets had claimed the policy, he couldn't have pitched next season). Second, this could signal that the Mets won't go after Francisco Rodriguez since they will have so much money invested in Wagner. Stay tuned.
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| The early reports on Mets' closer Billy Wagner's career being over were false. In a press conference today Wagner vowed to pitch again and help a team win a championship. The press conference ended with the 37-year old closer walking out after tearing up when a reporter asked how his 10-year old son took the news, according to according to Newsday.com. |
Our View: With Wagner done for at least a year, watch and see if the Mets will go after pending free agent Francisco Rodriguez.
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| Updating a previous report, Billy Wagner is going to undergo Tommy John surgery, which could force him to miss the 2009 campaign, according to the Star-Ledger. |
Our View: Even with Wagner still intact, members within the organization were pushing to target impending free agent Francisco Rodriguez. Now those calls will likely intensify with Wagner potentially lost for 2009.
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| Manager Jerry Manuel reiterated on Sunday that Billy Wagner is likely shut down for the remainder of the season, according to the NY Daily News. Wagner suffered elbow discomfort during a simulated game Sunday. |
Our View: The team won't officially know his status until he consults with team doctors today, but it does not look hopeful that fantasy owners will get him back.
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| Fantasy owners expecting to get Mets closer Billy Wagner back for the stretch run may have to come up with a new plan. The lefty experienced further elbow discomfort after throwing to just a single batter in his simulated game on Sunday, according to the N.Y. Post. |
Our View: This is bad news for a shaky Mets bullpen, and bad news for fantasy owners hoping to accumulate some more saves from Wagner.
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| Wagner, recovering from a strained forearm, could return as early as Tuesday but will likely need at least one appearance before he is reinstated as the Mets' closer, according to Newsday. |
Our View: With each save so valuable in most fantasy leagues, you will likely still want to activate him this week.
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| Billy Wagner, who is recovering from a strained left forearm, threw a favorable bullpen session Friday and is close to returning to the Mets' bullpen, according to the NY Daily News. He said, "We'll see how the elbow comes back today and really go from there. We've made a lot of progress in the last week and a half. A couple of bullpens, throwing everyday, it seems like it got a lot better."
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Our View: He hopes he will be ready to return for Tuesday's game against the Nationals, but might need more time to be on the safe side. Manager Jerry Manuel is yet to decide if Wagner will resume his closer's role right away upon his return.
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| Mets closer Billy Wagner threw a bullpen session on Wednesday, and he will throw a few more times before being activated from the DL on Tuesday, according to the New York Daily News. |
Our View: The Mets bullpen has really struggled in his absence, so the team will be happy to have him back, as will fantasy owners who were enjoying his 27 save, 0.89 WHIP season.
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| Billy Wagner, who is recovering from a strained left forearm, threw 25 pitches during a bullpen session Monday, according to the NY Daily News. |
Our View: The team believes he has a good chance to appear in a rehab game with Single-A Brooklyn before their minor league season ends Sunday. He could be back with the Mets for the closing weeks of the regular season, and should remain stashed on fantasy rosters.
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| With only a month left to play it hardly seems likely that the Mets will fall from playoff contention -- like last year -- but if so, closer Billy Wagner's health appears so questionable that he likely won't make another appearance without a playoff berth at stake, according to MLBNewsOnline.com. |
Our View: While the Mets watch as deadlines have lapsed for his anticipated return, Wagner is playing catch in addition to other rehabilitation exercises to reduce discomfort and swelling in the elbow of his throwing arm. The objective is to build up healthy tissue to, in effect, replace strength lost because of permanently ruptured or frayed strands of tendon. Wagner -- with another year remaining on his $43 million contract -- remains invaluable to the Mets' divisional race. He was among the league leaders with 27 saves when he went down, though he has blown seven. Expect him to make every effort to return by the end of September as long as there's a point to it.
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| Billy Wagner's ailing left elbow is improving, according to the NY Post. He is back playing catch at Shea Stadium. GM Omar Minaya said Wagner could be re-examined next week to see if he can start throwing off the mound again or if more rest is needed. Wagner has been on the DL since August 3 with elbow swelling and a strained left forearm.
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Our View: For now, Jerry Manuel is sticking with former Nationals' righty Luis Ayala as the closer.
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| Mets closer Billy Wagner is still considered week-to-week. According to the New York Daily News, Wagner threw from 60-feet today but has yet to get back onto the mound. |
Our View: With Wagner out the Mets bullpen has struggled trying to save games.
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| The Mets estimate that Billy Wagner may return to the Mets in about three weeks, according to the NY Daily News. |
Our View: The team added Al Reyes for insurance, but it appears that Wagner could return to the Mets in September.
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| The possibility remains that Mets closer Billy Wagner will miss the rest of the season, according to ESPN.com. Wagner's agent, Bean Stringfellow, said that it will be at least three weeks before he returns. |
Our View: Tough luck for fantasy owners counting on Wagner's saves down the stretch. The newly signed Al Reyes could get some looks in the ninth inning in the meantime.
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| Billy Wagner's latest MRI showed more swelling in his left elbow, and he remains out indefinitely. The closer tells the New York Post that he does intend to pitch again this season. "They told me that I'd take some time, let the inflammation get out of the elbow, and when it starts feeling better, to start doing more baseball-type activities," Wagner says. "Right now, I'm going to take some time. I can do some light throwing, continue to rehab and see how it progresses." |
Our View: The Mets will need to continue using Aaron Heilman (and friends), and it sounds like they have no intention of rushing Wagner. Fantasy owners are in a tough spot, as there are only five weeks to go and we don't know when Billy will be back.
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| Billy Wagner will have his left elbow examined today, according to the New York Daily News. He is suffering from elbow stiffness and remains on the disabled list. |
Our View: Wagner was eligible to come off the DL Monday, but is still having some problems. There is no word on when fantasy owners can expect one of their top-notch closers back.
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| Mets closer Billy Wagner will likely not be ready to come off the disabled list on Monday, according to the New York Daily News. His elbow stiffened Friday after throwing on Thursday. |
Our View: Wagner threw a simulated game today, though it was just 15 pitches. He says he has no problems with his velocity, but he is still lacking his desired movement. There was no immediate word on how much longer Wagner will continue to be out.
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| Billy Wagner threw 15 pitches in a simulated game in Pittsburgh today, and everything went smoothly, according to the New York Post. |
Our View: Wagner will probably come off the DL on Monday, barring any setbacks.
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| Billy Wagner will join the Mets in Pittsburgh on Saturday to throw a simulated game before coming off the DL on Monday, according to MetsBlog.com. He tossed a scoreless inning Thursday in his first and only rehab appearance for a strained left forearm. |
Our View: Wagner will be re-inserted into the closer role immediately upon return.
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| Mets closer Billy Wagner is starting his rehab assignment with 20 pitches tomorrow for New York's Double-A affiliate in Binghamton, according to MetsBlog.com. |
Our View: Wagner will throw a couple times and then will be activated on Monday and put back in as the team's closer.
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| Billy Wagner will begin throwing next weekend in Class A as he rehabs his forearm strain, according to the AP. |
Our View: Wagner is eligible to come off the DL on Monday, August 18, at which time he will resume his duties as the Mets closer.
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| Ailing Mets closer Billy Wagner , working his way back from a strained left forearm, played catch before the game, according to ESPN.com. |
Our View: The Mets placed Wagner on the 15-day DL on August 5th due to a left forearm strain. While out, Aaron Heilman is getting work in the 9th. However, today indicates Wagner is doing well and is set to return on schedule.
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| The Mets have officially placed closer Billy Wagner on the 15-day DL due to a strained left forearm, MLB.com confirms. |
Our View: Aaron Heilman is expected to see ninth inning work over the next two weeks, and the right-hander gains some short-term value. Wagner is not expected to need more than the required 15 days.
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| The Mets are planning on placing Billy Wagner on the DL, after a MRI revealed a strained left forearm, according to the New York Daily News. |
Our View: Although headed to the DL, the Mets were relieved it was a forearm injury, instead of an elbow injury.
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| The Mets have announced LHP Billy Wagner will be unavailble for today’s game as he has been sent back to New York to be examined for a stiff forearm, likely to undergo an MRI exam later today, according to MetsBlog.com. |
Our View: Jerry Manuel said the recently called up Eddie Kunz may be the team’s closer for today’s game but failed to address Wagner's arm in detail. We'll keep you posted as we get updates.
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| Billy Wagner is back in action but commented that he is unsure if his shoulder problem is gone for the season, according to the NY Post. He said, "I don't know (if the shoulder issue will be gone for the season). I think it's something that you just come out and hope that you get through that day and you don't have to worry about it."
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Our View: Wagner has hurled seven straight scoreless innings, with only one hit allowed over the span. Fantasy owners should continue to employ him, and hope he stays intact for the rest of the season.
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| Billy Wagner notched his second save in as many nights on Thursday. He needed just eight pitches for three outs. |
Our View: Apparently the shoulder woes are over with. Wagner has not allowed a run in seven consecutive appearances and his ERA is back down to 2.09.
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| Billy Wagner was indeed healthy enough to pitch on Wednesday and he did so to the tune of producing his 25th save of the season with a perfect ninth inning against the Phillies. |
Our View: Smooth sailing for Wagner who looked good despite concerns about his shoulder. He didn't strike out a batter on the night, but he still got the job done.
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| Billy Wagner has declared himself ready to go after dealing with a sore shoulder the past few days, according to MLB.com. "I'm going tonight," Wagner said. |
Our View: Wagner has been dissed a bit this season, but the numbers suggest there is little support for having a negative opinion of Wagner given his 2.20 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 10.54 K/9 mark.
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| According to the NY Daily News, Billy Wagner said he felt all right and sounded as if he would be able to pitch if needed. When Manuel was asked how it looked for Wagner tonight, he held up a hand and made the “so-so” sign. He is having muscle spasms around the joint in his shoulder.
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Our View: With a big series against the Phillies on hand, Wagner will likely push himself to pitch. Hopefully, he won't be needed for a couple of nights.
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| Billy Wagner has tightness around his left shoulder, which an MRI exam Tuesday revealed was a muscle spasm around his pitching arm, according to the AP.
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Our View: Team spokesman Jay Horwitz said Wagner was examined at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York. Wagner is considered day-to-day.
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| Billy Wagner will be re-examined on Tuesday and may undergo an MRI if necessary, MLB.com reports. The closer experienced some tightness in his left shoulder on Sunday. Wagner says his trapezius muscle has bothered him for a couple weeks. |
Our View: We can only sit back and hope for the best. Wagner did feel better after pitching on Sunday, which is good news.
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| Billy Wagner is no longer scheduled for an MRI Monday on his sore shoulder, according to Newsday. |
Our View: Wagner had difficulty getting loose Sunday, but felt better after the game. Hopefully Wagner, who has nailed down 24 saves so far, won't have this problem pop up again this season.
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| The Mets report closer Billy Wagner will undergo medical examination on Monday after experiencing cramping and mild tightness in his left shoulder, according to the New York Daily News. |
Our View: Wagner warns this is a precautionary measure, but we've heard similar statements before and seen troublesome results. We will update the findings as we get them in our hands.
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| Billy Wagner pitched a perfect ninth against Colorado for his 21st save in 27 chances. |
Our View: He whiffed two of three while working past the unimposing trio of Scott Podsednik, Wily Taveras, and Clint Barmes.
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| It wasn't pretty but the Mets' closer, Billy Wagner, saved his 20th game of the season in a 10-9 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday night. |
Our View: Wagner allowed two runs on two hits, walked one and struck out one in what was an exciting finish after the Mets led 10-1 heading into the six inning.
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| Billy Wagner commented on his blown save against the Phillies on Sunday, according to MetsBlog.com. Wagner gave up a two-run shot to Jayson Werth in the bottom of the ninth inning, but the Mets came back to win the game in the 12th. Wagner commented, "That’s going to happen. I’d like to have bounced that slider, but I hung it and Jayson hit it. But, we came back and won it, the guys did great, they picked me up and we won and that’s fantastic."
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Our View: Those two runs allowed snapped a seven-inning scoreless streak for him, and was his first blown save since June 12.
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| Billy Wagner blew his sixth save of the season on Sunday. He gave up a two-run shot to Jayson Werth in the bottom of the ninth. The Mets won the game in the 12th. |
Our View: This was his first blown save since June 12. He gave up three hits and recorded one strikeout in the game.
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| Veteran reliever Billy Wagner pulled his 19th save of the season this evening, closing the 7-4 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals. Wagner closed the 9th inning with 13 pitches (eight for strikes), striking out two and getting the additional out via fly ball. |
Our View: Wagner has been a rock of late, touting seven saves through 10 total inningsn June. He hasn't surrendered a run since June 12th.
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| Billy Wagner picked up his 17th save of the year in 22 chances as he held the Rockies to no hits in his lone inning of work on Sunday. |
Our View: Despite a run of extreme ineffectiveness, Wagner's overall ratios are still sparkling with a 2.03 ERA and 0.94 WHIP as he continues to be one of the best relievers in baseball despite his advancing age.
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| Taking the reins of a team best described as a mess has put manager Jerry Manuel on a mission for organization, and he's started that effort with the Mets bullpen, according to TheRopolitans.com. |
Our View: Manuel has defined the roles of several bullpen members, naming Bill Wagner as the team's closer, Duaner Sanchez as the Mets' setup man (to pitch in the 8th inning), and tabbing Joe Smith and Pedro Feliciano as the team's lefty and righty specialists (respectively). Manuel has also castigated Aaron Heilman and will not allow the pitcher to enter "as many pressure situations."
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| Billy Wagner blew his third straight save on Thursday by allowing two runs wasting a tremendous effort by Johan Santana. Wagner's effort resulted in his ERA being pushed to 2.33 after it was at 0.36 just a week ago. The Mets went on to lose in 10 innings to the D'backs, 5-4. |
Our View: Ugly. The Mets really don't have any other viable option to turn to, plus, it doesn't make any sense to freak out over 2.1 IP, but the situation certainly bears watching as the Mets simply cannot continue to give away games if they want to make the playoffs this year.
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| Billy Wagner picked up his fourth blown save as he allowed a 3-run home run to Mark Reynolds on Wednesday night. |
Our View: Luckily the Mets came back and won this game. Wagner, who has been automatic all year, has looked awful in allowing four runs while picking up two blown saves and a loss in his last two appearances. Continue to roll with him as this is likely just one of those dry spells that effect all closers from time to time.
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| Billy Wagner allowed a ninth inning hit on Wednesday but he secured John Maine's sixth win of the season with his 13th save. |
Our View: At 37 years old Wagner continues to get it done. His ERA is now 0.36 and his 0.76 WHIP are -- wow. The southpaw has struck out 28 in 25 innings and walked only four in 23 appearances.
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| Billy Wagner extended his run of scoreless innings to 15.2 on Tuesday as he picked up his eighth save against the Nationals. |
Our View: Wagner has 18 K and just three walks on the year, and he has been as dominating as he pretty much always has been. Wagner has been overlooked the past few years because he hasn't produced any huge save seasons, but few are more consistent.
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| The situation was not set for a save, but if it had been, Mets closer Billy Wagner might have suffered his first blown opportunity of the season. Through 12 outings this season, Wagner had allowed just one run (unearned, of course) to be scored. Today, in the second game of the double-header with the Reds, Wagner surrendered three runs, all unearned, on two hits over 2/3 of an inning. |
Our View: Wagner had failed to surrender a single hit in his first nine outings of the season. Over his last four, he has allowed five hits with four runs scored.
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| Billy Wagner called out Oliver Perez after his terrible outing on Wednesday, according to the NY Daily News. “You’ve got to have that willpower and that desire to go back out there and fight,” Wagner said. Perez has honestly got to step up and know that we’ve just used every guy in our bullpen the night before. He can’t come out there and decide that gee, he hasn’t got it today, and so be it.” |
Our View: It's about time that someone took a stand with Perez. Oliver possesses tremendous stuff, no one doubts that, but his bugaboo has long been his inability to consistently perform at a high level. We will be very interested to see how Perez performs next time out after Wagner challenged him today.
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| Billy Wagner hasn't had many save opportunities this April, but when he's been asked to pitch, he's been good. The Mets ninth inning option has appeared in 10 games this year recording 10 strikeouts while walking two. |
Our View: Wagner surrendered his first hit of the season on Sunday, a harmless single to Matt Diaz, eventually closing the game for his sixth save.
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| Closer Billy Wagner pitched four straight days for the Mets, according to NY Daily News. That matches his career high, and he notably racked up three saves over the stretch. He commented, "It's feast and famine, but you have to prepare yourself to know what you've got, and really stay mentally prepared as much as possible." |
Our View: He should be fine, and he is impressively yet to allow a hit over seven innings of work, with six strikeouts and one walk.
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| Billy Wagner had the cyst on his neck removed on Wednesday and reported no ill effects, this according to MLB.com. "It didn't bother me when it was there. It didn't bother me when they cut it out," Wagner said. "But now [hours after the procedure], it feels like they took out an organ. I can pitch. But if I stink, I've got the built-in excuse." Wagner should be fine and post his usual 35 saves this season for the Mets. |
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| Billy Wagner would like to see his workload decrease slightly this year according to a report in Newsday. "There's no doubt, the older you get, the more you have to take care of yourself," Wagner said. "You can't go out there and throw meaningless innings. You have to be used in your element, in your role, and not abused." Wagner, who will be 37 in July, appeared 66 times last season covering 68.1 innings while he picked up 39 save chances, though he also pitched in 13 games in which the Mets were ahead by four or more runs. There is no reason to think that Wagner will lose his effectiveness, he did save 34 games last year, the sixth time in seven years he had that many, but perhaps a bit more judicious use of his left arm would lead to slightly better results (his 2.63 ERA was his highest mark since 2001). |
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| Billy Wagner was unavailable to close last night's game due to back spasms. Wagner dealt with spasms last Saturday, but he was able to pitch on Wednesday and it was thought he'd be available after visiting a chiropractor and a masseuse. But Wagner threw one warm up pitch in the ninth and had to shut it down. "It spasmed up again and I couldn't move," he said in the New York Post. The Mets ended up blowing a three-run ninth inning lead and lost the game in the 10th. Wagner is listed as day-to-day. |
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