Billy Wagner is out indefinitely. Omar Minaya believes the answer will come from within, and he has confidence in those pitchers. By the way, that group has combined for 20 blown saves. It would seem obvious Philly has the closer edge with Lidge over anybody the Mets will throw out there.

METS

SS Jose Reyes
LF Nick Evans
3B David Wright
CF Carlos Beltran
1B Carlos Delgado
RF Fernando Tatis
2B Damion Easley
C Ramon Castro
LP Oliver Perez

ATLANTA BRAVES

CF Gregor Blanco
SS Yunel Escobar
3B Chipper Jones
LF Omar Infante
C Brian McCann
RF Jeff Francoeur
1B Casey Kotchman
2B Martin Prado
RP Jo-Jo Reyes

The Mets aren’t getting Billy Wagner back any time soon it seems. He was re-evaluated today at New York’s Hospital for Special Surgery, and it was suggested he needs further rest as he continues to have swelling and pain in his left elbow.

The Mets will go with a closer-by-committee format while Wagner is shelved.

-Billy Wagner’s elbow is to be re-examined. The news so far hasn’t been promising.

-Rehab games at New Orleans for Ryan Church and Trot Nixon.

-Jerry Manuel said he would talk to Duaner Sanchez to see if anything is bothering him.

-Jose Reyes back in the lineup after getting the day off.

-Tonight’s closer? Your guess is as good [...]

Yesterday is why the Mets are the Mets. They were on the verge of a perfect 7-0 roadtrip, but just like that the bats went to sleep and the bullpen resurfaced as an issue.

John Maine and Duaner Sanchez have health issues and Carlos Delgado is back in a funk. Hopefully, it won’t be as long [...]

The Mets will try to make it a sweep of their road trip this afternoon against Pittsburgh. John Maine is going, but they’ll keep an eye on him. They’ll try to find a spot for Luis Ayala.

The Mets’ batting order:

2B Argenis Reyes
LF Nick Evans
3B David Wright
CF Carlos Beltran
1B Carlos Delgado
RF Fernando Tatis
SS Damion Easley
C [...]

-We should hear something on Billy Wagner’s elbow today. He didn’t look good at all Saturday when he talked with us. Bad news would not be surprising.

-Ryan Church continues his rehab assignment today at Triple-A New Orleans. The Mets said today and tomorrow and he’ll be evaluated. That doesn’t mean he’ll be activated.

-Luis Ayala is [...]

It’s so easy when a team pitches. Johan Santana proved the best way to solve the bullpen’s problems is to not use it.

The pen has thrown 384 2/3 innings this season, which is roughly three a game, and is on pace to throw over 500. That’s going to bite them in the butt eventually, and [...]

Johan Santana starts today to extend the Mets winning streak to three straight here and six in a row overall. Santana has eight no-decisions on the season, with the Mets going 4-4 in those games. There’s little doubt he could have won 20 games with more support.

The Mets have acquired pitcher Luis Ayala from the Washington Nationals for second baseman Anderson Hernandez.

Maybe there is a new definition for “vintage Pedro” and last night might have been it.
He still knows how to pitch and the Mets need him. I have been saying the Mets won’t bring him back, but I am having second thoughts.
If he pitches like this down the stretch he will get a contract offer.

METS

SS Jose Reyes
2B Argenis Reyes
3B Damion Easley
1B Carlos Delgado
CF Carlos Beltran
LF David Murphy
RF Fernando Tatis
C Brian Schneider
LP Johan Santana

We have Pedro Martinez going tonight. The Mets have lost his last three starts. Martinez has gotten gradually better, but to say he’s all the way back would be premature.

Mets closer Billy Wagner said he his not ready to come off the disabled list Monday after throwing a 20-pitch simulated game yesterday.
Wagner, who went on the disabled list with a strained left forearm, will be re-examined before he throws again.

“I wouldn’t say I am ready,’’ Wagner said. “Right now it is stiff and sore.’’

I made a post saying Billy Wagner threw a 20-pitch simulated game and quoted pitching coach Dan Warthen saying he should be ready for Monday. Manager Jerry Manuel said the same thing when he spoke with us after 4 pm.

Wagner, however, isn’t so optimistic, saying there’s still stiffness in his left elbow and he doubts [...]