Shut down John Maine NOW

I love John Maine as much as the next guy. He's a good, young, pitcher and he was a steal. But right now, he's not helping the team, and he's potentially hurting himself in the process.

It will be tough to go through the rest of the season without him, but in my mind, many good years outweigh one month of tough pitching down the stretch for a playoff berth. Please, Mets, for the good of John Maine's shoulder, please shut him down.

Call up Jon Niese, who has been struggling at AAA over his last two starts. Being him up and pitch him. Pitch Brian Stokes. Pitch anyone but Maine. It's been said that he can't technically hurt his arm any more than it is, as it's "only" a bone spur. I call shenanigans. If he's hurt, he can easily hurt it more.

He's not helping right now, so the team won't be losing anything but five innings of 100 pitch baseball. Niese, Stokes, Bobby Parnell, Ruddy Lugo...anyone. Please.

Billy Wagner to the DL; Ruddy Lugo up

Billy Wagner's MRI revealed a strained left forearm, so the southpaw is heading for the disabled list.

Ruddy Lugo will replace him on the roster, not making it to the stadium until after the game begins.

Jerry Manuel said he will use bullpen by comittee, with Aaron Heilman getting the top billing.

Well this should be fun. Lugo's name had been thrown around as a possibility for the spot start needed this weekend. Guess you can take him out of the running for that.

Please get well soon, Billy, blown saves and all.