Mets closer Wagner out indefinitely with elbow pain, swelling

Players must be on a team's roster by Aug. 31 to be eligible for the postseason with that club.

Minaya and Manuel said the Mets have considered moving a starting pitcher -- such as John Maine or Oliver Perez -- to the closer's role, but it sounded as though the team was leaning against it.

That means there's added pressure on relievers such as Aaron Heilman, Pedro Feliciano and Scott Schoeneweis to perform well in roles they're unaccustomed to.

"I feel comfortable that the answer, when Billy's not here, is in that room," Minaya said. "The guys in there are going to have to step up. I think we've got the guys.

"We're not the only team that goes through this, and we have to find a way to get it done."

Wagner said he expects to pitch again this season and he hasn't been told he won't. So far, doctors haven't found any structural damage in his elbow, Minaya said, but the pitcher probably will be re-examined when the swelling subsides.

In the meantime, Wagner can play catch lightly and do other rehabilitation exercises. He is taking anti-inflammatories, but he won't have a cortisone shot in his elbow. Doctors advised him that if he were to do that, a shot could mask a more serious injury and increase the chances of him blowing out his elbow.

Wagner, 37, said the additional inflammation is a result of him trying to come back too quickly. He threw hard in a rehab game with Double-A Binghamton last week.

The lefty is 0-1 with a 2.30 ERA and 27 saves in 34 chances. He is in the third season of a four-year, $43 million contract and ranks sixth on the career saves list with 385.

In other injury news, Ryan Church (post-concussion syndrome) went 1-for-3 with a double, a walk and an RBI while playing right field for Triple-A New Orleans for the second consecutive night.

Second baseman Luis Castillo (strained left hip flexor) also is on a minor league rehab assignment. He went 2-for-4 with an RBI while playing eight innings at second for Binghamton.