A loss by the Phillies and a two-game cushion might have helped soften the blow but the Mets received bad news on closer Billy Wagner on Saturday.  After throwing 20 pitches in a simulated game environment, Wagner reported discomfort and that his expected return on Monday was unlikely.

Unfortunately, the Mets learned this information through Wagner’s comments to the press and were surprised to learn that Wagner stated he was “not ready” to the mediaaccording to an MLB.com report.  Later, the Mets were more definitive that Monday’s return would be postponed.

Further comments from Wagner and the Mets in the MLB.com report and a New York Daily News story were puzzling.  After manager Jerry Manuel spoke with the media and indicated he expected Wagner to return Monday and added: “We’re in a pennant race.  Everyone’s not going to feel great.”

“I’m coming into a situation where you can’t screw up,” said Wagner in the Daily News story.  “We’re playing well.  You try to get back too early and you either get hurt or screw it up and then you’re back to square one.  I can go out there today and throw 96 mph, but what good is it if it’s a flat 96 mph?”

Wagner discussed the need for him to “tolerate pain” but also backtracked and said, “[The Mets] don’t need me to try and be a hero.”

Now, Manuel might put a plan to move starting pitcher John Maine into the closer role.  After Saturday’s win over the Pirates, Manuel reiterated to the media that he was serious about making such a move.

—–

Four innings, seven runs and a loss.  That might be the way that future Hall of Famer Tom Glavine’s career ends.  According to Glavine, he would be “surprised” if Dr. James Andrews does not recommend surgery when he visits Andrews in Birmingham, Ala. next week.  Whether Glavine pitches next year or retires will hinge on the type of surgery he needs.

If Andrews says the surgery needed is to repair a torn flexor tendon, then Glavine will be able to rehab in three to four months and possibly pitch again in 2009.  If Andrews says that Tommy John surgery is necessary, then Glavine will retire instead and skip the one year of rehab necessary to recover from the surgery.

Either surgery could end Glavine’s career as there is no guarantee he will recover successfully.  This is uncharted territory for Glavine who before this season went 21 consecutive seasons without a trip to the disabled list.  The latest elbow injury accounted for two of the three trips that the 300-game winner took to the DL in 2008.

—–

A penny for your thoughts, Joe Torre?  “I can’t think [Brad] Penny is coming back,” Torre told reporters on Saturday.  “It’s nothing anybody has said.  It’s off what happened this year.  Coming off the DL, it’s been a slow process.”

While Penny has not ruled out a possible ‘08 return, an MRI of Penny’s shoulder revealed an increase of scar tissue in the front shoulder causing inflammation. 

The team officially announced Penny’s spot in the rotation would be skipped but held off on an announcement of who would fill the spot next Saturday.  The leading candidate is Eric Stults who is currently available out of the bullpen.  Another possibility is Triple-A Las Vegas pitcher James McDonald. 

—–

Regrettably, the Cal Ripken World Series took place today without first-hand coverage from Baseball Digest Daily.  I was scheduled to cover the event but a hip injury sidelined me and I’m currently listed as day-to-day.

Fortunately, my eyes worked fine and, in case you missed the game on your local Comcast SportsNet affiliate or on MLB.com’s webcast, here’s a quick recap of the game:

At Cal Sr.’s Yard — a mini replica of Camden Yards — in Aberdeen, Md., the 12-and-under team from Jupiter (Florida) toppled Mexico 5-4 on a two-run walk-off home run by Logan Heiser in the seventh inning.

Mexico led 3-2 and went up 4-3 in the top of the seventh but Heiser’s homer over the left-field fence sent the Jupiter youngsters around the field on a victory lap waving the American flag.

Jupiter first baseman Pavin Smith hit two home runs earlier in the game and Kevin Fry was named the team’s MVP.  Fry hit .630 with four homers and nine RBI during the week-long tournament.

—–

In other roster moves on Saturday:

• The Seattle Mariners sent Carlos Silva to the 15-day disabled list after he told team officials that his elbow was sore following Friday’s outing which dropped Silva to 4-14 in 2008.  The Mariners added left-handed pitcher Ryan Feierabend who is expected to start on Sunday.
• Kaz Matsui went on the 15-day disabled list with an irritated disc.  The move is retroactive to August 13 since Matsui has not played since leaving Tuesday’s game with the Giants.  The Houston Astros added J.R. House from Triple-A Round Rock to take Matsui’s roster spot.
• A strained throwing shoulder sent Giants’ starter Jonathan Sanchez to the 15-day disabled list before he could make his scheduled start on Saturday.  The injury occurred while Sanchez played catch on Friday and opened a spot in the rotation for Matt Palmer who started on Saturday against Atlanta instead.  Reliever Sergio Romo was recalled from Triple-A Fresno to give the Giants another arm out of the ‘pen.
• The Phillies added reliever Rudy Seanez back into the mix on Saturday.  Seanez’s return from the disabled list ended Mike Cervenak’s second stint with the team but allowed him to collect his first Major League hit.  The addition of Seanez gave the Phillies 13 pitchers but are expected to go back to 12 when third baseman Pedro Feliz returns from the disabled list this week. 
• Due to Chris Young’s injury, the Padres called up Chad Reineketo make his first Major League start on Saturday.  Reineke — the pitcher the Padres received from Houston in exchange for Randy Wolf – collected his first Major League win giving up three runs in five innings and collecting his first Major League hit, a two-out RBI single in the fourth which sparked a five-run rally.  Reliever Cla Meredith was sent down to Triple-A Portland to make room for Reineke.