PITTSBURGH -- Injured New York Mets closer Billy Wagner is to throw a simulated game this weekend and will be activated when he's eligible to come off the disabled list on Monday.
Wagner, out with a strained left forearm, pitched a scoreless inning and struck out two batters in a rehab assignment for Double-A Binghamton on Thursday.
"All I know is that he's healthy and he threw the ball well," New York manager Jerry Manuel said before the start of a four-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
There were plans for Wagner to pitch a second game for Class-A Brooklyn, but Manuel said Mets pitching coach Dan Warthen wanted to see the left-hander pitch Saturday.
"We'll get him here, so Dan can see him against some hitters," Manuel said.
Wagner, an All-Star this season, is 0-1 with 27 saves and a 2.30 ERA in 45 games.
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