Mets Win But Learn Billy Wagner’s Elbow Is Still Hurting

The Mets easily beat the Pirates today by a score of 7-4 on the strength of another solid performance by Pedro Martinez. It was the fifth straight win for the Mets and the game featured homeruns from shortstop Jose Reyes, and catcher Ramon Castro.

However, the jubilation was short-lived when the Mets learned that closer Billy Wagner who was expected to return from the disabled list on Monday, was still complaining about pain.

What started out as a strained forearm that would need a couple of weeks of rest has now led to a sore elbow.

The Star-Ledger reports. that the injured closer revealed that he’s still in considerable pain after a simulated game here at PNC Park this afternoon. So forget about a return to the team on Monday. When questioned about the status of his injury, Wagner said it was “discouraging.” The issue is not so much Wagner’s left forearm, the injury that put him the 15-day disabled list, but his elbow. The pain is not allowing him to finish off pitches, which saps a lot of life off them.

Soon after Wagner spoke with reporters, Mets coaches and executives huddled in the office of interim manager Jerry Manuel. After about half an hour, Mets vice president of player development Tony Bernazard emerged and confirmed Wagner would not come off the disabled list on Monday, as the team had expected.

The new plan – subject to change – is for Wagner to fly back home to New York today and confer with the Mets’ medical staff.

“We have to talk to the doctors about which way to proceed,” Bernazard.

Will the Mets be able to survive the loss of their closer for at least another two weeks?

Eddie Kunz is clearly not the answer. How many more tricks can Jerry Manuel pull out of his hat?