NEW YORK -- The Mets placed closer Billy Wagner on the 15-day disabled list on Tuesday after an MRI exam taken earlier that morning in New York showed a strained left forearm.

 

Wagner first felt pain on July 29 during the team's trip to Florida, and he said it hurt again when he came in to pitch against the Astros on Saturday in a save situation.

 

The MRI was Wagner's second in the span of two weeks. He underwent the first examination on July 22 because he felt discomfort in the form of cramps and spasms in his left shoulder. General manager Omar Minaya said there was no specific indication that the forearm injury came as a direct result of the shoulder pain, but he wanted to be cautious.

 

"Talking to the doctor, sometimes because of the tightness in the shoulder you might overcompensate and affect the other part," Minaya said. "So we said let's just rest him right now."

 

The corresponding move was Ruddy Lugo's callup from Triple-A New Orleans to provide another arm in the bullpen. Lugo has pitched primarily in a starting role this year, but has experience in relief.

 

Aaron Heilman is believed to see the majority of save opportunities in Wagner's absence.

 

Minaya said the MRI results came as good news because the injury was not more serious, and he said he is hopeful that Wagner's stint on the DL will only last 15 days.

 

"It was nothing major," Minaya said. "Structurally, all things were great."

 

Wagner has 27 saves and a 2.30 ERA this season, though he blew his seventh save when he allowed three hits, a walk and two runs on Saturday.

 

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20...sp&c_id=mlb

WEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

HAHA Now Aaron Heilman has to close from now on :cool