Text size:

Mets' Wagner visits doctor, but no MRI taken

BY ANTHONY RIEBER | anthony.rieber@newsday.com

6:03 PM EDT, July 21, 2008

Billy Wagner woke up Monday feeling the same tightness in his throwing shoulder that he felt while warming up on Sunday, so the Mets did the prudent thing and sent their closer to the doctor.

Other than ruining Wagner's off-day, it's not clear what the doctors at the Hospital for Special Surgery did. They did not perform an MRI, but also did not rule out doing one Tuesday if the symptoms persist.

Wagner's availability for Tuesday night's series opener against the Philadelphia Phillies at Shea Stadium hangs in the balance. A Mets source said the team is not overly concerned about the injury, which could be muscular, and was just being cautious.

Wagner said on Sunday in Cincinnati he felt a "cramp" in his shoulder while warming up and had trouble getting loose in the 90-degree heat. After a visit from manager Jerry Manuel and trainer Ray Ramirez, Wagner struck out the side. He joked about needing a cramp like that more often.

Wagner has been mostly solid this season (other than the three blown saves in June that helped Willie Randolph lose his job). He is 0-1 with a 2.20 ERA and 24 saves in 30 chances.

His absence for a short or long time would obviously hurt the Mets. Duaner Sanchez, who threw two scoreless inning on Sunday and said he felt 100 percent back from shoulder surgery, would likely move into the closer's role if Wagner had to sit.