Get Ready For a Heapin' Helpin' of Luis Ayala: Billy Wagner Most Likely Done for the Year

Billy Wagner's rehab from a swollen elbow had been going swimmingly ... until Sunday, when Wagner threw off the Shea mound between games of their doubleheader with the Phillies. As he was facing a live hitter for the first time in three weeks, he threw one at Gustavo Molina's foot and that was it. Wagner ended the rehab.

"That's it, I can't do it anymore," he said.

Now the Mets bullpen had pitched 23 and 2/3's innings of shutout ball before an unearned run on Sunday night. That being said ... yikes! No offense to Luis Ayala, but he was a Washington Nationals castoff and now he's the closer, and if you're a Met fan that should concern you a wee bit.

The Mets are clinging to a two game lead against the Phillies on the backs of a bullpen that had been very streaky. Without Wagner, every game becomes a circus once the starter goes out. And even if the Mets get through September, which is very possible with the help of September call-ups like Al Reyes and Ricardo Rincon, October becomes daunting. The playoffs are where bullpens win and lose games, and without the glue that holds the 'pen together it's going to be a rough ride.

Update: The ride got a whole lot rougher, as Wagner isn't just out for 2008, but he's out for 2009 too after Tommy John surgery. The Mets no doubt are planning their sales pitch for Francisco Rodriguez right about now.