Wagner's return derailed

BY ADAM RUBIN DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER PITTSBURGH - A "discouraged" Billy Wagner is headed to New York for a medical exam, not to the active roster, after his left elbow stiffened up during a 20-pitch simulated inning. Mets officials had expected Saturday's session against Robinson Cancel and Nick Evans would be the final hurdle before Wagner was activated for Sunday's series finale against the Pirates. Instead, Jerry Manuel told the Daily News he's again considering using a starting pitcher as his closer. Wagner said the left forearm strain that had landed him on the DL is a non-issue, and speculated his elbow tightness had to do with a 37-year-old body trying to quickly ramp up activity after going a full week without even picking up a baseball. Wagner had tossed a scoreless inning for Double-A Binghamton on Thursday. "I'm... [read full story]