PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Calling the World Baseball Classic "his Olympics," Billy Wagner bowed out of the tournament Wednesday, saying his performance might not be up to par with the competition.
"I've done everything I can do to be ready for it," Wagner said. "Physically, I just don't think it's there. A lot of guys can turn it up. I can't."

Wagner was one of 11 Mets players slated to participate in the tournament, and the team's only selected representative for the United States roster. He was replaced by Yankees pitcher Al Leiter.

"I just didn't feel like I was ready yet," Wagner said. "I didn't feel like I could, in good conscience, go out and try to push myself to that next level in early March. It's something that could turn out and I could hurt myself, and that's something I want to stay away from, because I want to go out there and do what's right for me and my future."

Though he said he was "as healthy today as when I walked into camp," the All-Star closer noted he understood the importance of Classic contests and felt his presence might be detrimental toward the chances of his club.

Wagner said he is a notoriously poor pitcher in Spring Training games (last season with the Phillies, he posted a 6.75 ERA in 11 spring appearances), and as such, he could not be sure he would be effective or consistent against the added challenge of the star-studded lineups.




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as opposed to manny ramirez, i can understand wagner opting out. he has a new catcher to get used to, as well as a new pitching coach. manny has nothing new to get used to. his job consists of loafing it in the field and simply hitting the hell outta the ball at the plate. what could he possibly be doing in spring training? he doesn't try during the season, how much work could he be doing during spring training?

apparently i'm getting screwed again. vlad and castillo have opted out. before you know it, there'll be no good players left.

What was the deal with Leiter and Majewski being added to the USA roster? That's the two best pitchers they could get?

maybe.