Mets’ Wagner likely to miss 2009 season

Kathy Willens, Associated Press

New York Mets closer Billy Wagner will have elbow surgery and likely will be out through the 2009 season.

The closer will have surgery after an MRI on Monday showed a torn medial collateral ligament in his pitching elbow has gotten worse.

Associated Press

Last update: September 9, 2008 - 1:23 AM

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

The New York 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 the Los Angeles Angels’ 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.”

A five-time All-Star, Wagner also has a torn flexor pronator, which is a muscle in the forearm.

“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.”

The lefthander has converted 101 of 118 regular-season save chances since signing with New York in 2006, but he has not pitched since Aug. 2.

Yankees plan to retain Girardi
The New York Yankees plan to retain Joe Girardi as manager next year.

“Joe will be back,” co-chairman Hank Steinbrenner said. “He’s done everything he could. That’s the bottom line.”

Girardi is in his first season managing the Yankees after agreeing to a three-year contract last October. New York is likely to miss the playoffs for the first time since 1993.

Etc.
• Chicago White Sox slugger Carlos Quentin had outpatient surgery Monday under local anesthesia to have a screw inserted into his broken right wrist. He was fitted with a half-cast during the procedure and is expected to miss the rest of this season.

• Boston activated right fielder J.D. Drew from the 15-day disabled list. Drew, sidelined since Aug. 18 because of a strained lower back, was hitting .280 with 19 homers and 64 RBI before the injury. The Red Sox also recalled first baseman Chris Carter and catcher George Kottaras from Class AAA Pawtucket.

• Don Gutteridge, who played for four major league teams and managed the Chicago White Sox in 1969 and 1970, died of pneumonia Sunday at his home in Pittsburg, Kan. He was 96.

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