On the Mets beat

Billy Wagner is not done.

That is what he said a little while ago at a news conference that ended with him in tears when he was asked how his oldest child, his son Will, reacted to the news that Wagner needs Tommy John surgery and will be out at least until next September. It didnt have to be explained to the 10-year-old that the 37-year-old pitcher is staring career mortality in the face.

"He was upset, He's not ready," Wagner said, before choking up. After a long pause to compose himself, Wagner added, "He's not ready for it to be over."

Nor is Wagner. His plans to play this year and next, then "ride off into the sunset" has changed dramatically. He will have surgery tomorrow, then start a long, tough rehab that will start with rehab on his knee because surgeons will need to take a piece of his knee and put it in his elbow.

"I'm not going to be myself," he said of what kind of pitcher he will be when he returns, maybe in 2010. But he relishes the challenge, saying that his whole career has been a challenge, making it to six All-Star Games desipte having been considered too small by most scouts.

He said he has worked too hard to let that all get away. He said the Mets would be "stupid" not to sign a good closer in the meantime. But as for himself, he added, "Somewhere down the road I'm going to help somebody win a championship."

--Mark Herrmann at Shea Stadium

Tonight's lineup against the Nationals

J. Reyes SS
Church RF
Wright 3B
Beltran CF
Delgado 1B
Tatis LF
Easley 2B
Schneider C
Perez P