By BRIAN COSTELLO
Last updated: 9:59 am
July 23, 2008
Posted: 3:11 am
July 23, 2008
Billy Wagner was sitting on a couch in the Mets' clubhouse as the ninth-inning lead melted away quicker than a summertime snowman.
Wagner was unavailable due to spasms in his left shoulder. The doctors told Wagner and interim manager Jerry Manuel the Mets closer needed another day to rest the shoulder. An MRI exam yesterday morning showed no structural damage to the shoulder, which bothered him Sunday in Cincinnati.
PHOTO GALLERY: Phillies Beat Mets
Wagner said he felt the tightness in his shoulder again yesterday while playing catch before the game with the Phillies. The more he threw, the worse the shoulder got. Wagner said the doctors could hold him out again tonight.
He and Manuel had a brief meeting in Manuel's office after batting practice when Wagner told Manuel the medical staff told him he needed another day.
"I told them I still feel spasming in the back of my shoulder but I'm willing to give it a go," Wagner said. "They said we want you to give it a day. It's July. If it was September, it might be a little different.
"After seeing (the 8-6 loss), you can't help but hate not being out there."
Manuel said the only way Wagner could have talked his way into playing last night is if he had no pain. The Mets bullpen gave up six ninth-inning runs to blow a 5-2 lead.
"I mean if he comes in and says, 'I'm fine,'" Manuel said. "'I'm ready to go, I don't need a day if you need me,' or something like that, yeah (he would have played), but if he feels like if he also needs a day I've got to do what I have to do to protect him."
Outfielder Ryan Church (headaches) was at Shea yesterday, but said doctors want him to have more rest before being activated from the disabled list. He'll see the doctors again tomorrow.
Pedro Martinez threw in the bullpen yesterday and said he feels ready to go either Friday or Saturday against St. Louis … Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez is with Class-A Brooklyn working out but he won't pitch until he gets a special shoe to relieve the pain in his right foot … 2B Luis Castillo (left hip) has resumed baseball activities in Port St. Lucie but probably won't rejoin the Mets until the end of the month … OF Moises Alou had surgery on his left hamstring yesterday … The Mets announced a countdown of the greatest moments at Shea. Fans can vote at www.mets.com for their favorites.
