MLB | Mets' Billy Wagner likely out through '09 season

NEW YORK — Billy Wagner is out for the rest of this season and likely all of next.

The New York Mets closer will have surgery after an MRI on Monday showed a torn medial collateral ligament in his pitching elbow has gotten worse during more than a month of rehabilitation. His injury could send the Mets into the free-agent market for a top reliever this winter, perhaps prompting them to pursue Francisco Rodriguez.

"It does change your thinking," general manager Omar Minaya said. "Any guy that we run out there is not going to be a proven guy. So, you know, until you have a proven guy, you can't say you're comfortable."

A five-time All-Star, Wagner also has a torn flexor pronator, which is a muscle in the forearm. When he tested his arm Sunday at Shea Stadium by facing teammate Gustavo Molina, Wagner hit the reserve catcher on the left foot with his 13th pitch, then walked off the field.

"The tear is now big enough that the doctors are recommending so-called Tommy John surgery," Minaya said. "If all goes well, he will be able to return to pitch in about a year's time following the surgery."

Benches clear as

Angels rout Yankees

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Ivan Rodriguez and Torii Hunter got into a bench-clearing fight in the sixth inning when the Los Angeles Angels scored six runs on the way to a 12-1 victory over the New York Yankees that reduced their magic number to two for clinching the AL West title.

Rodriguez took an openhanded swing at Hunter — and missed — after getting shoved in the back by the Angels star following a play at the plate. The benches emptied and players spilled onto the field, pushing and shoving.

Hunter and Rodriguez were ejected.

"It happened so fast," Hunter said. "I don't know if Pudge thought I pushed him. He pushed me. It just got frustrating."

Rodriguez and Hunter met during the game to clear the air.

"Torii is a nice guy. We apologized to each other," Rodriguez said.

Moments later, after the game resumed, New York pitching coach Dave Eiland passed out in the dugout, manager Joe Girardi said. Eiland was helped to his feet by teammates and escorted by a trainer up the runway toward the clubhouse.

The 42-year-old Eiland was in the middle of the tussle as players pushed and shoved each other near home plate. Replays showed someone's hand scraping across Eiland's face, but the coach did not appear to get knocked down.

Eiland left the game after feeling dizzy and losing his balance in the dugout. He was examined by a doctor and later felt fine, a Yankees spokesman said.

Notes

• Boston Red Sox owners, players and former infielder Johnny Pesky greeted fans and handed out commemorative tickets to mark the team's record-breaking 456th straight regular-season sellout. Since the streak began on May 15, 2003, the total attendance at the 456 games is 16,336,192.

• The New York Yankees plan to retain Girardi as manager next year. "Joe will be back," co-chairman Hank Steinbrenner said at the club's spring training complex. "He's done everything he could. That's the bottom line."

• Baltimore placed RHP Jim Johnson on the 15-day disabled list because of a right shoulder injury.

• Pittsburgh SS Jack Wilson will likely miss the remainder of the season because of a hairline fracture in his right index finger.